Edmundo González’s journey to Spain

In the midst of the siege of the Nicolás Maduro regime, Edmundo González Urrutia, leader of the Venezuelan opposition, He left the country to take refuge in Spain starting this Sunday, September 8th.

Following the July 28 elections, the former presidential candidate went through a long journey to protect his safety. He was secretly housed for a month in the Dutch Embassy in Caracas, from July 29 to September 5. This was the day that Tarek William Saab, Attorney General, ratified the arrest warrant against him.

After this time in the custody of Dutch diplomacy in Caracas, He also took refuge in the Spanish Embassy. This, while he requested political asylum from the government of Pedro Sánchez, who granted him protection.

How did Edmundo González come to Spain?

The asylum proposal was discussed a few weeks ago in an intermediation process with former Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

The Iberian country’s foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, said that the Venezuelan politician was granted asylum after his request for protection.

On the other hand, González Urrutia’s transfer took place aboard the Spanish Air Force plane, which He first made a stop in Lajes, Terceira Island in the Azores archipelago, in Portugal.. Although I had previously passed through Las Américas International Airport, in Punta Caucedo, Dominican Republic.

Reactions from exile

Following the departure of Edmundo González, Political leader Maria Corina Machado sent a message through its account in X and claimed that his life was in danger. But this was not only because of the summons and arrest warrant, but also because of the blackmail attempts.

“Faced with this brutal reality, It is necessary for our cause to preserve their freedomhis integrity and his life. This operation by the regime and its allies is further evidence of their criminal nature, which delegitimizes and sinks them more and more every day,” he added.

For his part, the vice president of the Popular Party of Spain, Esteban Gonzalez Ponspointed out that for a Spanish army plane to land on Venezuelan soil there had to be prior authorization.

“Technically, it is called an overflight and landing authorization, and when requesting it you must specify the purpose and the passengers arriving and departing. The rescue is only legitimized by recognizing Edmundo as president“, he said.