Spanish authorities said in a statement today Sunday that Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, who claimed victory over President Nicolas Maduro in the July 28 presidential election, was heading to Spain on a military aircraft.
“At his request, Edmundo González is on his way to Spain on a Spanish Air Force plane,” Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Alvarez wrote on social media, citing a government statement. “The Spanish government is committed to respecting the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans.”
Venezuelan authorities said on Saturday that they had cleared opposition candidate Gonzalez Urrutia, who claimed victory over Nicolas Maduro in the July 28 presidential election, to travel to Spain and confirmed his departure.
“Today, September 7, Edmundo González Urrutia left his country. After voluntarily seeking refuge in the Spanish embassy in Caracas a few days ago, he requested political asylum from the Spanish government and Venezuela granted him the necessary permission for peace. Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez wrote on social media, adding that Caracas had granted him safe passage and that he had left the country.
Venezuela’s vice president explained that the safe passage permit was issued “after contact between the two governments and taking the necessary measures in accordance with international law.”
On Monday, Venezuela’s judiciary issued an arrest warrant for González Urrutia, whom authorities say won the July election in which they declared Maduro the winner. Prosecutors said the charges against him include usurping public office, falsifying official documents, inciting insurrection, sabotage, and conspiring with organized crime and terrorist financiers.
The United States, the European Union, and some Latin American countries did not recognize Maduro’s declaration of victory without seeing detailed voting results.
Venezuelan election authorities said they could not provide details about the results, citing a cyberattack on their systems. Observers said there was no evidence of hacking during the election.
