The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borrellsaid that this Sunday is “a sad day for democracy“due to the need of the presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez to request political asylum and benefit from the protection of Spain, even if he would win the elections in Venezuela “by a large majority” according to the available information.
“Today is a sad day for democracy in Venezuela,” Borrell lamented in a statement on the occasion of his departure today. to the exile in Spain of González Urrutia due to “repression, political persecution and direct threats to their security and freedom.”
The opposition leader is travelling this Sunday in a Spanish Air Force plane in Spain, where the government of that country will grant him political asylum.
“Political leader and presidential candidate Edmundo González has had to request political asylum and take advantage of the protection offered by Spain“, Borrell lamented.
The head of European diplomacy recalled that “Edmundo González, according to copies of the minutes available to the public, would be the winning presidential candidate elections with a large majority.”
“In a democracy, no political leader should be forced to seek asylum in another country,” stressed the head of European diplomacy.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also called on the Venezuelan authorities, on behalf of the EU, “end the repressionarbitrary arrests and harassment of members of the opposition and civil society, as well as the release of all political prisoners.
“The EU will continue to support the Venezuelan people in their democratic aspirations,” he concluded.
Government Statements
The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albaressaid this Sunday that Spain will grant Gonzalez the asylum he requestedin statements to the press in Muscat (Oman), during a stopover on his trip to China with the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez.
The head of Spanish diplomacy explained that González requested to benefit from the right to asylumthat, “of course”, “the Spanish government will deal with it and grant it”.
Albares also reported that he had spoken with González Urrutia already on board the Spanish Air Force plane and that he had communicated his gratitude.
In turn, Sánchez said this Saturday that Edmundo González is “A hero that Spain will not abandon“, in a speech delivered at a meeting of senior officials of the Spanish Socialist Party.
