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The opposition leader of Venezuela, María Corina Machado, spoke out this Sunday about the departure of former presidential candidate Edmundo González from Venezuela to Spain.
"His life was in danger, and the increasing threats, summons, arrest warrant, and even the attempts of blackmail and coercion that he has faced demonstrate that the regime has no scruples or limits in its obsession to silence him and try to break him," Machado stated in a message posted on his account on the social media platform X.
Previously, the opposition leader had confirmed the victory on July 28 of the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), a political alliance made up of civil society, labor unions, retired military personnel, and political parties that have united to confront chavismo.
He went on to say that “in light of this brutal reality, it is necessary for our cause to preserve his freedom, integrity, and life,” referring to Edmundo González.
He denounced that the persecution carried out by the Maduro regime "is further evidence of its criminal nature, which delegitimizes and drags them down more each day," referring both to the visible faces of the opposition movement and to other individuals who have been imprisoned by the Chavistas.
Machado stated that Edmundo will be sworn in as the Constitutional President of Venezuela and Commander in Chief of the National Armed Forces on January 10, 2025.
"Let this be very clear to everyone: Edmundo will fight from outside alongside our diaspora, and I will continue to do so here with all of you," he stated emphatically, urging Venezuelans and the international community to exhibit "calmness, courage, and steadfastness."
This Sunday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain, José Manuel Albares, announced Edmundo's trip to Spain, clarifying that it was at the request of the former presidential candidate.
On the past Monday, September 2nd, the Attorney General's Office of Venezuela issued an arrest warrant for Edmundo, citing charges of usurpation of functions, forgery of public documents, incitement to disobedience of the laws, conspiracy, and organized crime. The international backlash was immediate.
At the beginning of August, a document signed by Attorney General Tarek William Saab initiated a criminal investigation against María Corina and Edmundo González, accusing them of "incitement to insurrection."
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