The Venezuelan opposition leader, Edmundo González, announced that he plans to return to Venezuela on January 10 to assume the presidency, as he was elected by eight million citizens in the elections held on July 28.
During his participation in the La Toja-Atlantic Link Forum, González, who is exiled in Spain following the pressure exerted by the government of dictator Nicolás Maduro, reiterated that his stay in the European nation is temporary and that his goal is to restore democracy in his country, according to the EFE agency.
"I am going to take office as the elected president of Venezuela on January 10," González declared, emphasizing that this is the date set for the swearing-in ceremony.
"Maduro brought Christmas forward to October 1st, it wouldn't be strange if I could also bring my return forward," he stated, as reported by RTVE Noticias on the social network X.
He also mentioned that his government would be legitimate because it has popular support and does not depend on parliamentary agreements, in contrast to the situation experienced by Juan Guaidó, who was elected by the Assembly at the time.
Similarly, he called on the international community to recognize the election results, noting that more than 30 countries, including Spain, have expressed their support for his leadership.
He also emphasized that he does not feel abandoned by the international community and trusts that the political process will advance while respecting the Venezuelan Constitution.
Regarding Maduro's future, González avoided making detailed comments, limiting himself to saying that it will depend on what the current president decides to do, as long as he respects the Constitution.
González is currently in Spain, where he was granted political asylum at the beginning of September, after an arrest warrant was issued against him.
The National Electoral Council proclaimed Maduro as the winner of the presidential elections, which triggered accusations of fraud and massive protests, with the opposition publishing online voting results that confirmed González's electoral victory.
A UN report indicated that the Maduro government had intensified its repressive tactics to crush peaceful protests and maintain power following the contested elections.
The statement from the electoral authority was supported by the Supreme Court of the country, although no official figures have been published to back the victory of the supporter of the ideas of the late Hugo Chávez.
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