Venezuelan Opposition Leader Flees to Spain for Asylum

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González has departed for Spain, where he is set to be granted political asylum. The Spanish Air Force plane transporting him is expected to land at Torrejon air base in Madrid. González, who had been in hiding due to an arrest warrant issued after disputed July elections, sought refuge at the Spanish embassy in Caracas before his departure.

Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, confirmed the asylum and emphasized Spain's commitment to protecting political rights. González, 75, was targeted following allegations of election fraud and conspiracy after President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner by the National Electoral Council.

Venezuelan authorities have since surrounded the Argentine embassy in Caracas, where six of González's political allies are seeking protection. The situation in Venezuela remains tense, with accusations of a "climate of fear" and over 2,400 detentions since the election. The EU and the US have questioned the legitimacy of Maduro's victory, highlighting ongoing concerns about democratic processes in Venezuela.