Caracas, Sep 09 (V7N) — Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who claims to be Venezuela's legitimate president-elect, fled to Spain on Sunday, declaring his commitment to continue advocating for freedom and democracy.
 
Gonzalez Urrutia arrived in Madrid after weeks of hiding in Venezuela, which remains in turmoil. The opposition insists that he won the July 28 elections, though Nicolas Maduro’s claimed victory has been met with widespread dispute.
 
Upon arrival on a Spanish military plane, Gonzalez Urrutia’s team released an audio message in which he expressed confidence in continuing the struggle for Venezuela’s democratic restoration.
 
The decision to leave Venezuela was driven by serious concerns for Gonzalez Urrutia’s safety, according to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who highlighted a "brutal wave of repression" following the elections.
 
Gonzalez Urrutia had been on the ballot only after Machado was barred from running due to actions by Maduro-loyal institutions. The CNE electoral authority, aligned with the Maduro regime, declared Maduro the winner, but the opposition and much of the international community dispute the results, citing the lack of a detailed vote breakdown.
 
An arrest warrant was issued for Gonzalez Urrutia, who had ignored multiple summons to appear before prosecutors, fearing for his freedom. Machado criticized the regime’s tactics, stating that escalating threats and coercion against Gonzalez Urrutia reveal the extent of the regime’s efforts to silence him.
 
Spain has granted Gonzalez Urrutia asylum. He and his spouse arrived at Torrejon air base near Madrid, where Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hailed him as "a hero" and assured Spain's support.
 
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed that Gonzalez Urrutia had sought refuge at the Spanish embassy in Caracas prior to his departure. Attorney General Tarek William Saab described the situation as a "farcical theater" but did not clarify the status of the ongoing investigation against Gonzalez Urrutia.
 
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Gonzalez Urrutia as “the best hope for democracy” in Venezuela, attributing his departure to the repressive measures implemented by Maduro. The EU's foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell called for an end to the repression and arbitrary arrests in Venezuela and urged the release of all political prisoners.
 
Gonzalez Urrutia faces serious charges, including usurpation of public functions and incitement to disobedience, stemming from his claims of election victory. The opposition's tally reportedly showed him winning around two-thirds of the vote, though Venezuela's electoral authority has not provided a detailed result breakdown, citing a cyber attack—a claim disputed by observers.
 
Post-election violence in Venezuela has resulted in 27 deaths and 192 injuries, with the government arresting approximately 2,400 individuals. Despite international sanctions and accusations of fraud, Maduro has maintained power since 2013, leading a country that has seen a dramatic economic decline and mass emigration.

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