Venezuela opposition leader flees after Spain grants asylum

Former Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González has fled into exile after being granted asylum in Spain, delivering a major blow to millions who placed their hopes in his upstart campaign to end two decades of single-party rule.

The surprise departure of the man considered by Venezuela’s opposition and several foreign governments to be the legitimate winner of July’s presidential race was announced late Saturday night by Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez.

She said the government decided to grant González safe passage out of the country, just days after ordering his arrest, to help restore “the country’s political peace and tranquillity.” Neither González nor opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has commented.

Meanwhile, Spain’s centre-left government said the decision to abandon Venezuela was González’s alone and he departed on a plane sent by the country’s air force.

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said his government will grant González political asylum as he has requested.

“I have been able to speak to (González) and once he was aboard the airplane he expressed his gratitude toward the Spanish government and Spain,” Albares said. “Of course I told him we were pleased that he is well and on his way to Spain, and I reiterated the commitment of our government to the political rights of all Venezuelans.” Sánchez said.