Madrid, Sep 09 (V7N)-  Edmundo Gonzalez, Venezuela's opposition leader, has fled the country and taken refuge in Spain after being in hiding since last July's controversial presidential election. Gonzalez, who faced multiple arrest warrants in Venezuela, arrived in Madrid aboard a Spanish military plane.

According to reports from the BBC, the 75-year-old leader of the Alliance for Organized Equity (AOE) will be granted political asylum in Spain. Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, expressed concern over the situation, stating, "No political leader in a democracy should be forced to seek asylum in another country."

The turmoil surrounding Venezuela's political landscape escalated following the July presidential election, in which incumbent President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner amidst allegations of vote-rigging. Gonzalez and his supporters have consistently claimed victory, heightening tensions within the country.

Details of Gonzalez's escape remain unclear, with the Venezuelan government suggesting that he had been residing at the Spanish embassy before his departure. Spain, known for providing refuge to political dissidents from Venezuela, has a history of offering asylum to those facing persecution.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares had previously indicated that Spain would offer asylum to Gonzalez, marking another instance of the country's involvement in supporting political figures from Venezuela.

Interestingly, Gonzalez only emerged as a prominent political figure in March, quickly gaining support from the opposition coalition, despite being relatively unknown on the national stage prior to his rise.

 

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