Venezuela says opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez has left the country and is seeking asylum in Spain, a day after escalating diplomatic tensions.
“After voluntarily taking refuge in the Spanish Embassy in Caracas a few days ago, [Gonzalez] asked the Spanish government for political asylum,” Venezuelan Vice President Delsy Rodriguez said on social media, adding that Caracas had agreed to his safe passage.
Venezuela has been in crisis ever since the authorities made the announcement Maduro the winner There is a presidential election on July 28 but detailed results have not been announced.
The opposition cried foul, claiming there was evidence that Gonzalez, 75, had won by a comfortable margin.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Alberes wrote on X that Gonzalez had requested asylum and was traveling to the country on a Spanish Air Force plane.
“The government of Spain is committed to the political rights of all Venezuelans,” he said.
Venezuela on Saturday Brazil’s authorization revoked to represent Argentina’s interests in the country, including running the embassy where six opposition figures are sheltered, the Venezuelan government said. The country severed ties with Argentina shortly after the election.
Brazil, like Colombia and Mexico, has asked the Venezuelan government to publish the full results of the vote.
Gonzalez was in hiding for a month after prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for him over his insistence that he was the rightful winner.
In which at least 27 people have died and 192 people have been injured opposition Since the election. Maduro’s government says it has arrested about 2,400 people.
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