Spain Denies Discussing Exile for Venezuelan Opposition Leader

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, José Manuel Albares, has denied any discussion between the Spanish Government and representatives of Nicolás Maduro regarding exile and political asylum for Edmundo González Urrutia.

Albares emphasized that González Urrutia’s request for asylum was a personal decision, and not the result of any political negotiations between the two governments.

The Spanish chancellor reaffirmed the Spanish Government’s commitment to upholding the political rights of all Venezuelans and dismissed any involvement of former president José Rodríguez Zapatero in mediation efforts.

Albares also clarified that Spain does not provide any compensation in such cases, and his stance on the Venezuelan crisis remains unchanged.

Possible Meeting Between González Urrutia and Spanish Government Officials

In an interview with Spanish state television, Albares did not rule out a potential meeting between González Urrutia and the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, upon the latter’s return to Spain from an official trip to China.

When asked about an alleged meeting between González Urrutia, Sánchez, and himself, Albares stated that he was unaware of the head of the Spanish Executive Committee’s agenda.

Background on González Urrutia’s Asylum Request

González Urrutia arrived in Madrid on a Spanish Air Force plane to request asylum, a procedure that is expected to be “favorable” according to the Foreign Affairs ministry.

The Venezuelan opposition leader is seeking asylum after being investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office for publishing voting records online, which allegedly showed him winning the presidential elections last July.

The Spanish Government has been critical of the Venezuelan government’s actions, calling for the respect of democratic will and the release of voting records.