- The head of the Spanish government’s Foreign Affairs portfolio, José Manuel Albares, asserted that there was no “hidden” communication regarding the former candidate’s departure from the country
José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Spanish government, denied on Sunday, September 8 that there had been a “political negotiation” with the government of Nicolás Maduro over the departure of Edmundo González from Venezuela to apply for asylum.
“There has been no political negotiation between the Spanish and Venezuelan governments. Political asylum was a personal request by Edmundo González,” said the Spanish foreign minister.
Albares insisted on the “commitment of the Spanish government to the political rights of all Venezuelans” and rejected the idea that former president José Rodríguez Zapatero had been part of the mediation.
“Spain has been very clear in requesting the records and condemning the arrest warrant for Edmundo González,” he said, reiterating that Spain’s position regarding the post-election crisis in Venezuela “remains the same.”
Meeting between Edmundo Gonzalez and Pedro Sanchez
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Albares did not rule out a meeting between González and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The agenda could materialize after the president returns from an official trip to China.
“I’m sure that at some point it will happen, but for now I don’t know,” Albares told the 24 Horas channel. Spanish Television (TVE).
The interview takes place just hours after González Urrutia landed in Madrid on a Spanish Air Force plane to request political asylum and after Pedro Sánchez referred to the standard-bearer of the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) as a “hero who will not give up.”
Edmundo González landed in Spain
José Manuel Albares explained that the Venezuelan opposition leader travelled on a Spanish Armed Forces plane to leave Venezuela. Specifically, the minister explained that he made two stops, one in the Dominican Republic and another at the base in the Azores, before landing at the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base.
“When he made his first stopover in the Dominican Republic, I had the opportunity to speak with him and tell him how happy I was that he was now flying to Spain,” Albares added.
González left the country accompanied by his wife and was received by the Secretary of State for Ibero-America and Spanish in the World, Susana Sumelzo.
“From now on, the process for requesting asylum will begin, the resolution of which will be favourable in the interest of Spain’s commitment to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans, especially political leaders,” the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
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#Spain #denied #negotiations #Venezuelan #government #departure #Edmundo #González
2024-09-09 10:03:12
What are the implications of Spain granting asylum to Edmundo González for the Venezuelan opposition?
Spain Grants Asylum to Venezuelan Opposition Leader Edmundo González
In a significant development, Spain has announced that it will grant political asylum to Edmundo González, the Venezuelan opposition leader who fled his country amid a crackdown by the government of Nicolás Maduro. The decision comes after González arrived in Madrid on September 8, seeking refuge from persecution in Venezuela.
According to reports, González’s asylum request was a personal decision, and not the result of any political negotiation between the Spanish and Venezuelan governments. This was confirmed by José Manuel Albares, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, who stated that “there has been no political negotiation between the Spanish and Venezuelan governments. Political asylum was a personal request by Edmundo González” [[2]].
Albares emphasized Spain’s commitment to the political rights of all Venezuelans and condemned the arrest warrant issued against González. He reiterated that Spain’s position on the post-election crisis in Venezuela remains unchanged [[1]].
González, who was a candidate in Venezuela’s presidential election, had been facing persecution in his home country. His decision to seek asylum in Spain was seen as a significant blow to the Maduro government, which has been accused of human rights abuses and suppressing opposition.
The Spanish government has been vocal in its support for the Venezuelan opposition, and the decision to grant asylum to González is seen as a gesture of solidarity with the Venezuelan people. The move has also been welcomed by the international community, which has been critical of the Maduro government’s human rights record.
In related news, there are indications that González may meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in the coming days. Albares did not rule out the possibility of a meeting between the two, although no date has been set yet [[1]].
The development comes at a time of heightened tensions between Venezuela and the international community, which has been critical of the country’s human rights record and political repression. The decision to grant asylum to González is seen as a significant step forward in promoting democracy and human rights in Venezuela.
References:
[1] https://it.euronews.com/2024/09/09/il-leader-dellopposizione-venezuelana-edmundo-gonzalez-urrutia-chiede-asilo-in-spagna
[2] https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2024/09/08/madrid-concederemo-lasilo-politico-a-gonzales-urrutia_d6eeaf94-0964-4b1e-8189-c79bfe52470e.html
[3] https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2024/09/venezuela-il-candidato-di-opposizione-gonzalez-ha-lasciato-il-paese-per-la-spagna-414250bf-3e2c-4380-be35-fdc4122d6675.html
What led to Edmundo González seeking asylum in Spain?
Edmundo González: A Hero in Exile, Seeking Asylum in Spain
Meeting between Edmundo Gonzalez and Pedro Sanchez
The recent departure of Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González from
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