Former opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González fled Venezuela for asylum in Spain this weekend, less than a week after a local judge ordered his arrest.
His departure is part of a negotiated deal with Nicolas Maduro’s government, The Associated Press reported, and was announced by Venezuelan authorities Saturday night.
González is recognized by the United States and other foreign countries to be the rightful winner of the presidential election held on July 28, even though Maduro was declared the winner.
González arrived in Spain on Sunday with his wife and Spanish officials, the AP reported, and delivered a statement to his supporters shortly after.
“My departure from Caracas was surrounded by acts of pressure, coercion and threats,” González said. “I trust that we will soon continue our fight to achieve our freedom and the restoration of Venezuela’s democracy.”
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said late Saturday that González was granted safe passage out of Venezuela to help restore “the country’s political peace and tranquility,” according to The AP.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado pledged to continue the fight and said González would still be sworn in as president on Jan. 10, 2025.
“His life was in danger, and the increasing threats, summons, arrest warrants and even attempts at blackmail and coercion to which he has been subjected, demonstrate that the regime has no scruples and no limits in its obsession with silencing him and trying to subdue him,” Machado said in a translated post on X. “Faced with this brutal reality, it is necessary for our cause to preserve his freedom, his integrity and his life.”
“Let this be very clear to everyone: Edmundo will fight from outside alongside our diaspora and I will continue to do so here, alongside you,” she added.
The Associated Press contributed.