The Venezuelan opposition Edmundo Gonzalez UrrutiaNicolás Maduro’s rival in the disputed elections of July 28, called for “dialogue” and explained that he is exiling himself to Spain “so that things can change,” in a letter addressed to his compatriots after arriving in Madrid.
“Only the politics of dialogue can make us meet again,” The opposition politician wrote in this letter published in X and dated in Madrid, stating that his decision to go into exile was made “so that things can change” and to build “a new era for Venezuela.”
“It is a gesture that reaches out to everyone and I hope that it is reciprocated as such.”added the 75-year-old former diplomat the day after arriving in Spain with the help of Pedro Sánchez’s government.
“I have made this decision thinking about Venezuela and that our destiny as a country cannot, should not, be one of conflict of pain and suffering,” González Urrutia said. Hours before this letter, his press team released a voice message in which he promised to continue “the fight to achieve freedom and the recovery of democracy in Venezuela.”
The exile of Edmundo González Urrutia in Spain
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said on Monday on Onda Cero radio that González Urrutia was going to request asylum and “which will be granted, of course.” “He is better off in Spain than indefinitely in the ambassador’s residence, in a regime of semi-clandestinity, or not to mention in a prison,” added Albares, defending the former diplomat’s decision to go into exile.
Sources close to the Venezuelan politician had explained that he will not speak to the media until he is received by Pedro Sánchez and Albares, currently on an official trip to China, something that could happen on Thursday.
Albares insisted that the reception of the Venezuelan politician does not change Madrid’s position. “We are not going to recognize the supposed victory of Nicolás Maduro,” he said.
However, the Spanish conservative opposition criticizes the government for not recognizing González Urrutia’s victory either, and has called for a plenary session of the Congress of Deputies on Tuesday to vote on this recognition.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said that González Urrutia, who has been in hiding for a month like her, left the country in order to “preserve his freedom and his life” amid “a brutal wave of repression.”
Support for Edmundo González Urrutia from abroad
Antony Blinken, head of US diplomacy, estimated on the X network that the exiled opposition candidate “remains the best hope for democracy” in Venezuela.
“The Colombian government regrets the departure of Edmundo González from Venezuela. It highlights the agreement between the governments of Spain and Venezuela to guarantee political asylum,” said the executive of leftist Gustavo Petro.
González Urrutia’s departure is the latest episode in the crisis triggered by the presidential election in which Maduro was re-elected for a third six-year term amid allegations of fraud.
Source: Ambito

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