Edmundo Gonzalez: Why Has Venezuelan Opposition Leader Left Country For Spain?

Edmundo Gonzalez, the Venezuelan opposition leader has departed for Spain, as confirmed by both governments, following the issuance of an arrest warrant last week. The warrant accuses him of terrorism, conspiracy, and other crimes related to the contested July presidential election.

The crisis in Venezuela began after the election, where the electoral authority, heavily influenced by authoritarian incumbent Nicolas Maduro, declared him the winner with 51% of the vote. However, opposition figures reported a decisive victory for Gonzalez. Many in Venezuela’s opposition and several Latin American leaders rejected Maduro’s win, leading to violent protests and numerous arrests.

Edmundo Gonzalez sought political asylum in Spain

On Saturday, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez stated that Gonzalez had left the country and sought political asylum in Spain. She noted that Gonzalez had been residing at Spain’s embassy in Caracas as a “voluntary refugee” and that Venezuela permitted his departure to maintain national tranquility and political peace.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares mentioned that Gonzalez was traveling to Spain on a Spanish Air Force plane at his own request. He assured that the Spanish government is dedicated to protecting the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans.

The minister’s office declined to provide additional details about Gonzalez’s time at the embassy. Gonzalez’s lawyer, José Vicente Haro, confirmed to reporters that his client had indeed left for Spain to seek asylum.

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Edmundo Gonzalez accused of terrorism

The Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office had requested the arrest warrant on Monday, accusing Gonzalez of crimes related to terrorism. Gonzalez had not responded to three summons concerning an investigation into an opposition website that published results from the disputed election.

Recently, the United States exerted pressure on the Venezuelan government to release specific election data due to doubts about the legitimacy of Maduro’s claimed victory. Additionally, the U.S. seized one of Maduro’s planes, alleging it was acquired in breach of U.S. sanctions.

Opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa commented on his X account that, despite Gonzalez’s departure, the opposition must persist in ensuring their claimed election victory is recognized. He emphasized the importance of respecting the proven election results and popular sovereignty.

The government under President Maduro has detained over 2,400 individuals since the election, resulting in what the UN has described as “a climate of fear.” On August 28, 2024, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro gave a speech in Caracas during a rally celebrating the results of last month’s presidential election.

Edmundo Gonzalez hiding since July

Mr. González had been in hiding since July 30, concerned about arrest due to statements from prominent government figures suggesting he should be imprisoned. The attorney general’s office, aligned with the Maduro administration, has charged Mr. González with conspiracy, document forgery, and other serious crimes.

Mr. González, previously unknown before March this year, was registered as the main opposition coalition’s candidate after the original choice, María Corina Machado, was barred from running despite winning an open primary with 93% of the vote. When her attempts to overturn the ban were unsuccessful, the opposition had to seek an alternative candidate. After another opposition candidate was also barred, Mr. González was put forward. To avoid a similar fate, the opposition kept Mr. González’s candidacy low-profile while Ms. Machado campaigned across the country urging support for him.

On election night, Mr. González appeared alongside María Corina Machado challenging the CNE’s declaration of Mr. Maduro as the winner with 52% of the votes.

US seizes Nicolás Maduro’s plane

US authorities recently seized Nicolás Maduro’s plane in the Dominican Republic, citing alleged violations of US sanctions. The aircraft, which officials described as Venezuela’s counterpart to Air Force One, has been transported to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The US Attorney General, Merrick Garland, stated that the Justice Department seized the plane, which was purportedly purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the US for Maduro and his associates.

Matthew Axelrod, the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce, emphasized that the seizure should signal that aircraft obtained illegally for sanctioned Venezuelan officials will not be permitted to leave unnoticed. This action follows the US’s demand for Venezuelan authorities to provide evidence proving Maduro’s victory over opposition candidate Edmundo González in the July 28 vote.

Washington asserts there is substantial evidence indicating González won, but Venezuelan election authorities have not released polling numbers, leading to unrest and a government crackdown resulting in over 1,600 detentions. A State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, criticized the Maduro-controlled electoral council for failing to substantiate the election results with original tally sheets, unlike the transparency seen in the 2013 and 2018 elections.

Maduro’s repressive past

Government crackdowns on the current protest movement have resurrected memories of Venezuela’s repressive past. Since Maduro assumed power over a decade ago, human rights organizations have accused him of using the Venezuelan government to stifle dissent through intimidation, violence, and election manipulation. His first election in 2013 was met with protests and allegations of fraud. These demonstrations continued into 2014 as Venezuela faced food shortages and security issues.

To suppress the unrest, Maduro’s government deployed paratroopers equipped with tear gas, water cannons, and firearms. Thousands were arrested, and 43 people were killed.

Venezuelen analysts note that the legacy of this crackdown continues to overshadow the current protest movement. He mentioned that since the first major anti-Maduro protest wave in 2014, the government has consistently suppressed such demonstrations with severe measures.

In 2017, a new wave of unrest arose after Maduro’s government dissolved the National Assembly, where the opposition had a majority. Once again, Maduro and his allies used harsh tactics to quell the unrest, including a campaign called “Operacion Tun Tun,” which translates to “Operation Knock Knock.” This involved raiding the homes of opposition members and dissidents, leading to their arrest.

In August, during the latest round of election protests, Maduro revived “Operacion Tun Tun.” At a youth rally, he mimed knocking on an opposition member’s door, telling the crowd, “He who oversteps, tun tun!”

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