Edmundo González still believes in a peaceful transfer of power in Venezuela: what he told a Spanish media outlet
He Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez has given his first interview since he was forced into exile in SpainThe diplomatic refugee has stressed that he made the decision at the moment when the president’s security forces Nicolas Maduro They confessed to him that “they were coming for me.”
The political leader said that a security officer who worked for him told him that “he had received information that the security forces were coming for me and that it was best to take refuge.”
The accusation against Gonzalez came after Ripe said that the opposition was trying to overthrow him through a coup d’état.
He said he knew that once the arrest warrant was issued, he faced a prison sentence, possibly in “one of the prisons that have been turned into torture centers in Venezuela».
What Edmundo Gonzalez said
During his first statements since leaving his country, the opposition leader stated that he had made it his premise to “obtain guarantees so that his family and property would be safe” in Venezuela.
Another initiative that encouraged him on his trip was to be able to perform his function in the best way, because he wanted “to have the freedom to seek the support of the world leaders». A quest by the international community to “proclaim him president.”
Machado confirmed this Friday that Gonzalez Urrutia He left the Venezuelan nation because he was forced to do so, as he suffered “terrible harassment and threats to his life.”
The leader of the opposition intervened telematically in the session that the Human Rights Council has dedicated to Venezuela and in which the UN Fact-Finding Mission For this country, the Commission presented its latest report, stating that “the risk of the rule of law disintegrating is very high.”
Edmundo González met with the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, in the Congress of Deputies on Tuesday. Photo: EFE
Get your message out to the world
Edmundo González prefers to play another role to “be able to transmit to the world what is happening in Venezuela and make political contacts.”
The former presidential candidate reported that he had met with important Spanish political figures since his arrival on September 8, such as Jose Maria Aznar, Mariano Rajoy, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Felipe Gonzalez and Pedro Sanchez.
After receiving invitations to visit Germany, the Netherlands and the European Commissionwill tour Europe.
He said he was confident that a peaceful transfer of power was still possible. Venezuela and that he was still the right person to lead it.
Former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy holds a meeting with Edmundo González in Madrid. Photo: EFE/ David Mudarra/ Partido Popular
“Coerced” into signing his exit
The day after the European Parliament recognized Edmundo González as the legitimate president of Venezuela He has stated that he first sought refuge in the Dutch embassy and after 32 days he made the decision to leave his country, moving to the residence of the Spanish ambassador to make an asylum request from Madrid.
This week it was learned that while he was at the residence of the Spanish ambassador, Ramon SantosGonzalez signed a letter in which he said he accepted the electoral victory of Ripe.
The government of Venezuela posted photographs of the signing in the presence of the head of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguezthe vice president Delcy Rodriguez and the Spanish envoy.
Gonzalez He said the letter was agreed upon during 48 “very tense” hours and extended meetings between him and Venezuelan officials, and that he was “coerced” into signing.
The opposition leader said the photographs and audio recordings taken at the ambassador’s residence were taken without his permission and that he did not know who took them, but ruled out the ambassador.
“We ended up with a text that I signed. I told him that I accepted the decision, even though I did not agree with it,” he said.
He claims that at that time he did not seek guarantees for the release of political prisoners. The Venezuelan human rights group Criminal Forum estimates that since July 29, 1,692 people have been arrested, many of them in protests, although 80 teenagers were released on September 1.
Gonzalez He declined to go into detail about specific measures that foreign powers might impose, such as sanctions or prohibitions fuel exports. He prefers “not to address this issue” but made it clear that “any effort to convince political actors to respect the will of the people is welcome.”