Venezuelan opposition figure Gonzalez touches down in Spain, requesting political sanctuary following a controversial vote.
Gonzalez, his wife, and Spanish officials accepted landing at the Torrejon de Ardoz military air base, as stated by Spain's Foreign Ministry. Currently, Gonzalez is seeking asylum in Spain, as per CNN's understanding.
On Sundays, Gonzalez revealed his departure from the nation was due to "pressure and threats" that he wouldn't be allowed to leave, although he didn't explicitly mention who was behind these threats. In an audio message sent to CNN en Espanol by his press team, Gonzalez expressed his confidence that "soon, we will carry on the fight for freedom and democracy in Venezuela," and thanked his supporters for their messages of solidarity.
Venezuela's Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, told CNN on Sundays that authorities would close Gonzalez's case following his departure.
"We, alongside Gonzalez's lawyer, will establish the method, time, and place to judicially close that case," he stated.
Venezuela has experienced chaos since a poll in which authoritarian incumbent Nicolas Maduro was declared the victor by the country's electoral authority – a body packed with his allies – with 51% of the vote.
However, tens of thousands of tallies published by the opposition suggested a conclusive victory for Gonzalez. Venezuela's opposition and various Latin American leaders refused to recognize Maduro's victory, leading to deadly protests during which thousands were apprehended.
In a statement on Sundays, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken claimed Gonzalez's departure was a consequence of "anti-democratic measures."
"The election results and the will of the people cannot be simply overlooked by Maduro and Venezuela's electoral authorities. We support Gonzalez Urrutia in his demand to continue the struggle for liberty and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela," Blinken said.
A day prior, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez stated in a statement that Gonzalez "departed the nation and sought political asylum in Spain."
She added that Gonzalez had been staying at Spain's embassy in the capital Caracas as a "voluntary refugee," and that Venezuela allowed him to leave for the "sake of the tranquility and political peace of the country."
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares claimed Gonzalez was "voluntarily" flying to Spain on a Spanish Air Force plane. "The Spanish government is dedicated to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans," he wrote on X.
The minister's office would not provide further details about Gonzalez's stay at the Spanish embassy.
However, the Dutch foreign ministry stated on Sundays that prior to his stay at the Spanish Embassy, Gonzalez had spent weeks at the Dutch embassy in Caracas, relocating the day after the July 28 election and remaining there until early September.
"At Gonzalez's urgent request, I decided to offer him accommodation at the Dutch embassy in Caracas for as long as needed," the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp said in a statement.
Veldkamp claimed that in early September, Gonzalez announced his intention to leave both the Dutch embassy and Venezuela "to continue his struggle from Spain."
The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell stated that Gonzalez stayed at the "residence of the Netherlands in Caracas" until September 5.
The Dutch foreign minister claimed he emphasized to Gonzalez the significance of the opposition's role in defending democracy, but "despite this, he expressed his desire to leave and continue his struggle from Spain."
Threat to life
Gonzalez's lawyer, Jose Vicente Haro, previously informed CNN that his client had not sought refuge in an embassy. However, Haro said on Sundays that due to Gonzalez's need to "protect his life and personal safety," he had taken "decisions different from his initial plans."
Haro claimed the decision to leave Venezuela was reached late on Friday night and followed "confidential information" about potential danger to his client's life.
The lawyer claimed that Gonzalez had just two choices: "spend time unjustly imprisoned for false accusations" or "ensuring his safety and leaving the country."
Haro said he assumed Gonzalez chose Spain because one of his daughters resided there.
Gonzalez's daughter was seen on Sundays outside the Torrejon de Ardoz military airbase in Madrid after Gonzalez and his wife arrived on a Spanish military plane.
The lawyer claimed the situation outside Argentina's embassy wasn't a major factor in Gonzalez's decision to seek asylum in Spain, but it was something Gonzalez considered.
On Friday, Venezuelan security forces surrounded the Argentine embassy in Caracas after two opposition members sought refuge inside, joining four others who had taken refuge there earlier that year.
"Several factors were taken into account, if we had a siege situation at the Argentine embassy, we could have a situation at any embassy accredited in Venezuela," Haro said.
Forced into exile
The Organization of American States (OAS) claimed on Sundays that Gonzalez had effectively been "forced into exile" after an arrest warrant was issued by Venezuela's Prosecutor's Office last Monday.
The Prosecutor's Office accused him of "crimes related to terrorism" in relation to the disputed election and claimed he had failed to respond to three summons regarding its investigation into an opposition website that posted results from the controversial vote.
When asked about the "pressure and threats" that Gonzalez said had led to his decision to seek asylum in Spain, Venezuela's Attorney General stated on Sundays that the pressure and threats came from opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
Gonzalez was under pressure from his political party to take certain actions, he admitted. There's a complete split within that radical opposition faction. CNN reached out to Machado for comment on this matter.
According to the Venezuelan government, they "allowed" Gonzalez to depart, but have not given a clear reason as to why they granted him safe passage, especially since he's wanted by the legal system. The only explanation given was the need for political harmony. Previously, the Maduro government has granted safe passage to other opposition leaders, leading critics to claim that it's a method of suppressing opposing views through forced absences.
The OAS stated that Gonzalez merely complied with the Venezuelan government's directives.
"The (Maduro) regime has not provided even the tiniest piece of evidence supporting their claimed election result, but they've exiled opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez," the OAS declared in a statement.
The United States has urged the Venezuelan government to disclose specific information regarding the presidential election, voicing concerns over the election's credibility and Maduro's declared victory. The US has also confiscated one of Maduro's planes, asserting that it was purchased in violation of US sanctions.
Opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa posted on his X account that though Gonzalez had left, the opposition must continue to "fight" to ensure that their alleged election victory is recognized.
"What's important is that he was elected, that his election was validated, and that popular sovereignty must be respected," Guanipa said.
CNN's Abel Alvarado contributed to this report.
The Americas, with their supportive voices, have rallied behind Gonzalez in his fight for freedom and democracy in Venezuela, as evidenced by the US Secretary of State's statement expressing support for Gonzalez Urrutia. Fearing for his life due to threats and potential accusations, Gonzalez decided to seek asylum in the World, specifically in Spain, following the advice of his lawyer.
