SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The Opposition Leader Fled for His Life

Venezuela's opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia has arrived in Spain, where he has been granted asylum. The opposition leader has been forced to flee after being threatened by Nicolás Maduro's regime and judiciary.

» Updated: 14 September 2024

» Published: 08 September 2024

The Opposition Leader Fled for His Life
Photo: Ariana Cubillos/AP/TT

Edmundo González Urrutia arrived on Sunday afternoon with a Spanish military plane, with the official message that the Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares had granted asylum.

González Urrutia's opposition colleague María Corina Machade welcomed the news, saying "his life was in danger".

In the face of brutal reality and for our cause, it is necessary to protect his freedom, integrity, and life, she says.

The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the opposition leader as "a hero that Spain will not abandon".

Wants to "restore calm"

Edmundo González Urrutia has largely lived in hiding since the disputed presidential election in July.

"After voluntarily taking refuge in the Spanish embassy in Caracas a few days ago, González Urrutia asked the Spanish government for political asylum", wrote Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. The government decided to grant him safe passage out of the country to "restore political peace and calm".

However, international criticism of the regime in Caracas remains sharp. The EU's Foreign Minister Josep Borrell reiterated the demand that "oppression, arbitrary arrests, and harassment" must cease in Venezuela.

Disputed victory

Venezuela has been plunged into a political crisis after the presidential election in July, which both the opposition and the sitting President Nicolás Maduro claim to have won.

The EU, the US, the UN, and several of Venezuela's neighboring countries have questioned Maduro's claim to victory since the election data has not been fully disclosed.

The unrest that followed the election claimed 27 lives, while nearly 200 people were injured. About 2,400 people were arrested in connection with the protests, according to the government.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Houthi Rebels: Crew Released After a Year
1 MIN READ

Houthi Rebels: Crew Released After a Year

Japan Post stops delivering live reptiles
1 MIN READ

Japan Post stops delivering live reptiles

The White House shuts down Spanish-language website
1 MIN READ

The White House shuts down Spanish-language website

Killed women with crossbow – admits to murder
1 MIN READ

Killed women with crossbow – admits to murder

Trump's Defense Minister Nominee "Drank Himself Unconscious"
2 MIN READ

Trump's Defense Minister Nominee "Drank Himself Unconscious"

Trump launches attack on bishop: Unpleasant tone
1 MIN READ

Trump launches attack on bishop: Unpleasant tone

Trump: Immigrants can be arrested in schools and churches
2 MIN READ

Trump: Immigrants can be arrested in schools and churches

Tusk to EU: Chin up!
2 MIN READ

Tusk to EU: Chin up!

Zelensky: Peace agreement requires 200,000 soldiers
1 MIN READ

Zelensky: Peace agreement requires 200,000 soldiers

Fear in Jenin "reflects Israel's lesson from Gaza"
1 MIN READ

Fear in Jenin "reflects Israel's lesson from Gaza"

Fear: Nine-year-olds can be married off after legislative change
1 MIN READ

Fear: Nine-year-olds can be married off after legislative change

No evidence of sabotage behind cut submarine cables
1 MIN READ

No evidence of sabotage behind cut submarine cables

Released Hostages: Were Terrified at the Handover
3 MIN READ

Released Hostages: Were Terrified at the Handover

Trump Brands as Terrorists to Counter "Invasion"
4 MIN READ

Trump Brands as Terrorists to Counter "Invasion"

Trump: Diversity is a waste of money - everyone gets fired
2 MIN READ

Trump: Diversity is a waste of money - everyone gets fired

UN: Civilians in Colombia must be protected
1 MIN READ

UN: Civilians in Colombia must be protected

Trump to Xi on Ukraine: Must do more
1 MIN READ

Trump to Xi on Ukraine: Must do more

Millions of narcotics pills go up in smoke in Syria
1 MIN READ

Millions of narcotics pills go up in smoke in Syria

Trump pardons founder of drug website
1 MIN READ

Trump pardons founder of drug website

Bishop preached to Trump about LGBTQ and immigrants
1 MIN READ

Bishop preached to Trump about LGBTQ and immigrants