Flag bearer of the largest opposition coalition in Venezuela, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutiasaid this Sunday that his departure from Venezuela, heading to Spain after requesting asylum and being granted safe passage by the government of Nicolas Maduro, has been “surrounded by episodes of pressure, coercion and threats“.
“My departure from Caracas was surrounded by episodes, pressures, coercion and threats not to allow my departure“, the opposition leader said through a WhatsApp audio that his coalition, the Democratic United Platform (PUD), released to the media.
In the message, González Urrutia adds that “the fight will continue for the achievement of freedom and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela”, while expressing his “gratitude” for “the expressions of solidarity” after his departure from the country.
The anti-Chavista’s statement was shared by his main supporter, the opposition leader. Maria Corina Machadowho assured that she would continue to fight from Venezuela while González Urrutia would do so “from outside.” “Let this be very clear to everyone: Edmundo will fight from the outside with our diaspora and I will continue to do it herewith you,” he said in X.
For its part, the PUD said that the asylum granted to its leader “ratifies the serious situation of state terrorism“, to which – he affirmed – those who “defend” the popular will would be “subjected”.
González Urrutia requested asylum, arguing that he was suffering political and judicial persecution in Venezuela after the presidential elections On July 28, whose official victory was attributed by the National Electoral Council (CNE) to Nicolas Maduroa result subsequently validated by the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ).
However, Opposition claims Gonzalez Urrutia is the winnera claim supported by “83.5%” of the electoral records he claims to have collected from witnesses and polling station officials on election day, which – he claims – grants a large victory to the anti-Chavistas.
Following this publication and the complaint of fraud, González Urrutia was accused by the “alleged commission” of “usurpation of functions” and “forgery of a public document”, among other crimes, for which he was convicted. cited three times by the prosecution.
When he failed to appear, a court issued a arrest warrantagainst the opponent, who had remained for more than a month, and until last September 5, at the Dutch embassy, from where he went to the Spanish embassy, where he remained until this Saturday, when he finally left Venezuela. The Maduro government, for its part, announced on Saturday that it had granted safe passage to the opponent “in the interests of tranquility and political peace.”
