Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez leaves country for Spain | Election news

Edmundo Gonzalez seeks asylum in Spain after challenging Nicolas Maduro’s re-election.

Venezuela has reported that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez has left the country after a day of rising diplomatic tensions and is seeking asylum in Spain.

“After voluntarily seeking refuge in the Spanish Embassy in Caracas a few days ago, (Gonzalez) has asked the Spanish government for political asylum,” Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on social media, adding that Caracas had agreed to his safe passage.

Venezuela has been in crisis since authorities declared Maduro the winner of the July 28 presidential election but have not released detailed results.

The opposition screamed bloody murder, claiming to have proof that the 75-year-old Gonzalez had won by a large margin.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares wrote on X that Gonzalez had requested asylum and was traveling to the country on a Spanish Air Force plane.

“The Spanish government is committed to the political rights of all Venezuelans,” he said.

Venezuela on Saturday revoked Brazil’s permission to represent Argentine interests in the country, including running the embassy where six opposition figures are being held, the Venezuelan government said. The country broke off ties with Argentina immediately after the election.

Brazil, like Colombia and Mexico, has asked the Venezuelan government to publish the full election results.

Gonzalez had been in hiding for a month after prosecutors issued a warrant for his arrest, insisting he was the rightful winner.

At least 27 people have been killed and 192 wounded in protests since the election, and Maduro’s government says it has arrested some 2,400 people.