**González Urrutia, Former Venezuelan Presidential Candidate, Gains Political Asylum in Spain**
Edmundo González Urrutia, a former opposition presidential candidate from Venezuela, has been granted political asylum in Spain. This development was confirmed on September 7, 2024, by Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez, the Vice President of Venezuela.
González Urrutia, aged 75, left Venezuela after reportedly taking voluntary refuge in the Spanish Embassy in Caracas for several days. “Today, on September 7, opposition citizen Edmundo González Urrutia, having taken voluntary refuge in the Spanish Embassy in Caracas for several days, requested political asylum from that government. Venezuela has granted the necessary safe passage in the interest of political peace and tranquility,” stated Rodríguez Gómez in a message on Instagram.
The Vice President clarified that the Venezuelan and Spanish governments maintained necessary communications, leading to the authorization of González Urrutia’s departure to Spain. She emphasized Venezuela’s adherence to international legality in granting the safe passage.
José Manuel Albares Bueno, Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, also commented on the situation via social media, stating, “Edmundo González, at his request, is flying to Spain in a Spanish Air Force plane. The Government of Spain is committed to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans.”
On September 2, 2024, the Venezuelan General Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant for González Urrutia after he failed to appear for three summonses related to an investigation into a website publishing detailed results of the presidential election. The platform was under scrutiny for allegedly impersonating the Venezuelan Supreme Court, which officially declared Nicolás Maduro the winner of the elections held on July 28, 2024.
The Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) opposition coalition accused the government of electoral fraud and claimed to have evidence of 84% of the electoral records.
In response to the summonses and accusations, González Urrutia released a video on September 1, 2024, stating that the General Prosecutor was acting as a political accuser and condemning him in advance without a fair trial. Following these events, González Urrutia went into hiding.
The Venezuelan National Electoral Council announced on July 29, 2024, that Nicolás Maduro was re-elected with 51% of the votes, while González Urrutia secured 44%. The opposition has continuously disputed these results, alleging widespread fraud.
Nicolás Maduro, who has been President since March 5, 2013, and previously served as Foreign Affairs Minister and Vice President, sought re-election amid accusations of electoral manipulations. The opposition candidate, González Urrutia, has a long political career, including stints as an ambassador in various countries during past administrations.
**Additional Information from Other Sources:**
**Opposition Condemns González Urrutia’s Prosecution Amid Election Controversy**
Recent reports from various news outlets have highlighted the Venezuelan opposition’s strong condemnation of the charges against González Urrutia. Opposition leaders argue that the legal actions are part of a broader strategy by the Maduro administration to silence dissent and consolidate power. International human rights organizations have also sounded alarms, calling for impartial investigations and the protection of political freedoms in Venezuela.
Meanwhile, the Spanish government has reiterated its commitment to upholding human rights and supporting Venezuelans facing political persecution. Spain’s decision to grant asylum to González Urrutia is seen by many as a significant diplomatic move, potentially impacting future relations between the European Union and Venezuela.
These developments come amid ongoing economic hardships and political unrest in Venezuela, with many citizens looking towards the international community for support and intervention. The case of González Urrutia underscores the deepening political crisis and the continuing struggle for democracy in the South American nation.