Venezuelan Opposition Leader Edmundo Gonzalez Leaves Country Amid Diplomatic Crisis

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez has fled to Spain after rising tensions with Argentina and Brazil. This follows a disputed election and embassy issues.

Edmundo Gonzalez, who ran against Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, has left the country. On Saturday night, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said Gonzalez, 75, had gone to the Spanish embassy in Caracas for safety a few days ago.

Gonzalez’s departure comes after tensions between Venezuela and other countries. Venezuela recently canceled Brazil’s role in representing Argentine interests in the country. This included taking care of the Argentine embassy, where six opposition figures were staying.

These tensions started after Argentina’s July 28 presidential election, which Venezuela disputes. Brazil, along with Colombia and Mexico, has asked Venezuela to release the full election results. Venezuela’s government hasn’t done this yet. The electoral authority says Maduro won re-election for a third term.

Venezuela’s move to cancel Brazil’s role was announced on Saturday. The Venezuelan government claimed it had proof that the Brazilian embassy was being used to plan attacks against Maduro and Rodriguez. 

Brazil was surprised by this and said it would continue to represent Argentine interests until Argentina found another country to do so.

Argentina was unhappy with Venezuela’s decision. They said it broke international rules and basic human rights. Argentina’s Foreign Ministry urged Venezuela to follow the Vienna Convention, which protects embassies.

A Brazilian official said Venezuela promised not to invade the embassy. Brazilian newspaper Globo reported this, but didn’t name sources. Brazil stressed that the embassy must be protected and will keep defending Argentine interests.

This problem started in March when six people, including opposition figures, sought asylum in the Argentine embassy in Caracas. They were facing arrest on charges like conspiracy. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and her team deny these charges.

On Friday night, some people in the Argentine embassy said the building was being watched and had no power. They posted videos showing men in black and patrols from Venezuela’s intelligence agency, SEBIN.

In response, Argentina’s Foreign Ministry asked the International Criminal Court to arrest Maduro and other top Venezuelan officials. They want action for events that happened after the disputed election.

The situation is tense and still developing. The world is watching closely as Venezuela, Argentina, and Brazil work through these diplomatic issues.