González is compelled to acknowledge Maduro's triumph in the elections
The fight over Venezuela's controversial presidential election results is now moving onto a new stage. Opposition hopeful Gonzalez has admitted defeat, but alleges that he was pressured into doing so and that the accompanying document remains secret. However, the head of parliament then addressed the media.
Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition's chosen presidential candidate in the disputed Venezuelan election, maintains that he was compelled to sign a document acknowledging defeat under duress. The document's contents are meant to remain confidential, it appears.
This was later presented by Parliament President Jorge Rodriguez – Maduro's key negotiator – during a televised press conference. Previously, snippets from the letter had been leaked in a local news article. Rodriguez stated that Gonzalez had willingly signed the letter.
Gonzalez: Forced departure in recognition of defeat
Gonzalez refuted this claim in a social media video. He asserted that he was coerced into signing the document in order to secure his release from the country. "It was a harrowing few hours of intimidation, extortion, and psychological pressure." Confronted with this allegation, Rodriguez threatened to disclose audio recordings of their conversations if Gonzalez did not recant.
Gonzalez had recently sought refuge in Spain. According to the opposition, they emerged victorious in the election held at the end of July by a significant margin.
The day prior, the government announced the arrest of a fourth American. It is claimed that he, along with other foreign nationals, had conspired to orchestrate Maduro's assassination. The authorities accuse the CIA, Spanish intelligence, criminal organizations, sex workers, and members of the opposition of being involved in this plot.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the arrest during a speech to the National Assembly, but failed to name the latest detainee. He warned that anyone who seeks to defy Venezuela will face punishment, regardless of their status.
Earlier, an impartial UN-supported human rights council experts group leveled accusations against Venezuela, stating that they employed the "most extreme and violent mechanisms of their repression apparatus" after the controversial presidential election in July.
Gonzalez claims that the pressure to sign the defeat acknowledgment was not voluntary, but rather a result of extortion and psychological coercion. The government threatens to disclose recordings of their conversations if Gonzalez continues to assert these allegations.
