Venezuelan Opposition Leader Claims Coercion in Signing Maduro's Victory Document
Edmundo González, a notable figure in the Venezuelan opposition, has recently revealed that he signed a document acknowledging Nicolás Maduro's victory in the elections under extreme duress. In a statement shared on his social media this Wednesday, González expressed that the coercion he faced was a pivotal factor in securing his departure from Venezuela to Spain, following weeks of intense judicial persecution.
In his declaration, González described hours of pressured negotiations filled with blackmail and fear. He concluded that being free would allow him to be of greater service to his cause than if he remained imprisoned. He emphasized that a document created under such circumstances lacks valid consent, thus rendering it null and void. According to González, what took place was a significant breach of ethical conduct from the Maduro regime.
While sheltering at the residence of the Spanish ambassador Ramón Santos Martínez, González recounted how he was confronted by the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, and the country’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez. They presented him with the document that mandated his endorsement for him to be granted permission to leave the country, threatening dire consequences should he refuse to sign.
González confirmed, "I either signed or I would face the consequences," highlighting the weighty pressure that forced his hand during the incident. Despite his signing, he reiterated his loyalty to the cause of the Venezuelan people, asserting, “I am not going to betray them.” He accused the Maduro government of attempting to manipulate the narrative rather than address the genuine concerns raised by the international community regarding the elections.
His statement comes in the wake of media reports from Venezuela, which circulated the letter where González’s signature appeared alongside the ruling from the Supreme Court of Justice that upheld Maduro's election victory. The opposition leader’s assertions have been met with skepticism. On the same day as González's announcement, Jorge Rodríguez countered, claiming that it was González himself who reached out to the ruling party's authorities to express his desire to leave the country. Rodríguez revealed that he and González were appointed by Maduro to facilitate this negotiation, which ultimately unfolded at the Spanish Embassy in Caracas.
In a broader context, González's statement brings attention to the heightened tensions within Venezuelan politics, especially concerning the legitimacy of Maduro's presidency. His contention that the truth lies within the electoral records—and that the regime is deliberately concealing them—resonates with a significant portion of the Venezuelan populace, who continue to yearn for political change.
"Millions of Venezuelans have the will for change, and I will fulfill that mandate," González declared as he reaffirmed his commitment to representing the voice of his compatriots amid such challenging circumstances. His case exemplifies the fraught environment surrounding dissent in Venezuela, where political leaders navigate a landscape filled with intimidation, manipulation, and the constant struggle for freedom.
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