Opposition presidential candidate flees Venezuela amid arrest threats, protests

Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo González has fled to Spain in the latest development following Venezuela’s contentious presidential election. Many Western countries, including the United States , view González as the legitimate winner.

However, authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory and, amid widespread protests, ordered the arrest of his opponents. Just days after an arrest warrant was issued for González, he arrived at a military airport near Madrid on Sunday, Sept. 8.

This followed a negotiated deal with Maduro’s government, which allowed him to escape Venezuela and avoid charges of conspiracy. Since the election over a month ago, González had been in hiding as authorities detained thousands, including hundreds of minors, who protested Maduro’s claimed victory.

Upon arriving in Spain, González sent a voice message to his supporters, stating, “My departure from Caracas was surrounded by acts of pressure, coercion, and threats. I trust that we will soon continue our fight to achieve our freedom and the restoration of Venezuela’s democracy.”

Another key opposition leader and ally of González, María Corina Machado, posted on X , “On January 10, 2025, President-elect Edmundo González will be sworn in as constitutional president of Venezuela and commander in chief of the National Armed Forces. Let this be very clear to everyone: Edmundo will fight from the outside.”

However, González’s departure has caused concern among some of his supporters. One told The Associated Press , “What little hope we had left went with him.”

González is not the only opposition figure to flee Venezuela. Four other former presidential candidates, who faced imprisonment or arrest, have also sought safety abroad.

Maduro’s government has yet to provide proof of its victory. However, voter tally sheets collected by González show him winning by a margin of more than 2 to 1 . This has led countries like the U.S. to consider González the true winner of Venezuela’s election, contributing to an ongoing debate over election integrity.

The post Opposition presidential candidate flees Venezuela amid arrest threats, protests appeared first on Straight Arrow News .