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The Venezuelan opposition leader, Edmundo González, announced that he plans to return to Venezuela on January 10 to assume the presidency, having been 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 due to pressure from the government of dictator Nicolás Maduro, reiterated that his stay in the European country is temporary and that his goal is to restore democracy in his homeland, according to the EFE agency.
"I will go on January 10 to assume my position as the elected president of Venezuela," González stated, emphasizing that this is the scheduled date for the inauguration.
"Maduro brought Christmas forward to October 1st; it wouldn't be surprising if I could also bring my return forward," he expressed, as reported by RTVE Noticias on social media platform X.
He also mentioned that his government would be legitimate because it has popular support and does not rely on parliamentary agreements, in contrast to the situation experienced by Juan Guaidó, who was elected by the Assembly at that 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 is confident that the political process will progress in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution.
Regarding Maduro's future, González refrained from making detailed comments, stating only that it will depend on what the current president decides to do, as long as he respects the Constitution.
Currently, González is in Spain, where he was granted political asylum in early September after a warrant for his arrest was issued against him.
The National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner of the presidential elections, triggering allegations of fraud and massive protests, with the opposition publishing online voting results that confirmed González's electoral victory.
A UN report indicated that Maduro's government had intensified its repressive tactics to crush peaceful protests and maintain power following the disputed elections.
The statement from the electoral authority was supported by the country's Supreme Court, although no official figures have been released to confirm the victory of the follower of the ideas of the late Hugo Chávez.
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