Edmundo González thanks the EP for its recognition

The opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia thanked the European Parliament for the resolution approved this Thursday, which recognizes him as the legitimate and democratically elected president of Venezuela.

“As President-elect, I thank the European Parliament for this recognition which transcends me; It is the recognition of the sovereign will of the people of Venezuela and the thunderous voice of a majority that demands that the truth be respected.“, Gonzalez said in a post on social media.

The European Parliament resolution, approved by 309 votes in favour, 201 against and 12 abstentions, also recognises María Corina Machado as the leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela.

«I thank the representatives of the European Parliament for the discussion they have decided to hold in this chamber on the serious situation in Venezuela. We Venezuelans want the same thing that Europeans have managed to achieve in our time: to live in freedom and democracy under the rule of law. In thanking the European Parliament for this invitation and extending this gratitude in particular to its president, MEP Roberta Metsola, I would like to begin by highlighting what has been one of the main merits that has characterized the performance of the deputy Metsola at the head of this common Chamber, the search for difficult consensus at a time when there is a worldwide impoverishment and reduction of freedom», said the opposition member.

Edmundo González also acknowledged the European diplomatic representations “for their firm response to persecution, arbitrary acts and the violation of the most basic political rights.”

“The international community continues to increase its support for the sovereign will of our people. We are working tirelessly to make it prevail!” added the opposition leader.

Thank you! We Venezuelans want the same thing that Europeans have achieved: to live in freedom and democracy.

As President-elect, I thank the European Parliament for this recognition that transcends me; it is the recognition of the sovereign will of the people of Venezuela… pic.twitter.com/QIwP4kZNw4

— Edmundo González (@EdmundoGU) September 19, 2024

Edmundo González pledges to continue working for Venezuela from exile

“Forced to leave my country due to unspeakable pressures and extreme threats, like millions of Venezuelans, I am here before you all, honestly converted into a manager in as many diplomatic actions and efforts as we can, at the highest level, to drive solidarity with the Venezuelan democratic cause,” he said.

He stressed that While working from abroad with the international community to solve the Venezuelan crisis, María Corina Machado is doing the same in the country.

“What María Corina has done and continues to do in Venezuela as a leader is a guarantee that, together with the commitment of the person speaking to you here, our country will not suffer any setback, doubt or discouragement, despite all the obstacles, despite all the terrors, despite all the risks of seeking a peaceful solution to the Venezuelan crisis until the very end, with political guarantees for all,” he said.

He continued: “Today, a month and a half before the elections, the regime, instead of recognizing the desire of Venezuelans for change, has unleashed a terrible wave of repression. 25 murders, dozens of exiles and more than 2,000 detainees, including children and adolescents. Given the clarity of the results obtained in the last elections in Venezuela, the democracies of the world must speak out.”

He reiterated that his departure from the country is temporary, and that he hopes to return to Venezuela to serve as president-elect.