Venezuela Opposition Candidate Gonzalez Departs for Spain Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions

By Lisandra Paraguassu and Vivian Sequera

BRASILIA/CARACAS (Reuters) – Edmundo Gonzalez, Venezuela’s former presidential opposition candidate, has departed for Spain following the country’s controversial election, according to Venezuelan and Spanish officials on Saturday night amid escalating diplomatic tensions.

Gonzalez, 75, who challenged President Nicolas Maduro in July, left after he “voluntarily sought refuge” at the Spanish embassy in Caracas several days ago, as noted by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez on social media.

Spain’s Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, confirmed on X that Gonzalez had taken off from Caracas on a Spanish Air Force plane, with Madrid acting on his request.

Gonzalez’s departure marks a significant political development following the election held on July 28, which has faced criticism globally regarding the Venezuelan government’s management of the voting process. While official sources assert that Maduro emerged victorious, the opposition claims that Gonzalez won the election and released vote tallies online to support their assertion.

This week, prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez related to the online release of the vote totals, alleging charges including usurping functions, falsifying public documents, and conspiracy.

Earlier on Saturday, the Venezuelan government revoked Brazil’s permission to represent Argentine interests in Venezuela, which includes managing the embassy where six opposition figures are currently sheltering.

The diplomatic rift with Argentina stems from Venezuela breaking off relations in light of the recent presidential election. Brazil, along with Colombia and Mexico, has urged Venezuela to publish complete election results, a request that has yet to be addressed by the government, which maintains that Maduro won re-election for a third term.

Venezuela stated that the decision to revoke Brazil’s authorization was immediate and based on evidence that the embassy was being used to plot assassination attempts against Maduro and Rodriguez.

Brazil expressed surprise at the communication regarding its revoked authorization, while Argentina condemned the unilateral decision, advocating for respect for the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Argentina’s statement emphasized that any attempt to invade or abduct asylum seekers from their official premises would be met with strong condemnation from the international community, reiterating concerns about human rights in Maduro’s Venezuela.

A Brazilian diplomatic source reported that Venezuela assured Brazil it would not intervene at the embassy. In response, Brazil affirmed its commitment to represent and protect Argentine interests until a suitable alternative was proposed.

Brazil underscored the inviolability of the Argentine diplomatic mission, which houses six Venezuelan asylum seekers, along with its assets and archives.

The heightened tensions between the South American nations have drawn considerable attention. In March, six individuals sought asylum in the Argentine embassy in Caracas following a prosecutor’s order for their arrest on conspiracy-related charges, a claim opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has denied.

On Friday night, some opposition members sheltering in the Argentine residence reported that the building was under surveillance and without electricity, sharing videos of individuals dressed in black and patrols from the government intelligence agency.

Subsequently, Argentina’s Foreign Ministry requested the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant against Maduro and other high-ranking government officials for actions following the elections.