Zapatero Claims Role in Facilitating Opposition Leader's Escape from Venezuela
Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has publicly confirmed his involvement in facilitating the exit of opposition leader Edmundo González from Venezuela. Speaking to the media outside the Ateneo de Madrid, where he took part in the presentation of the book 'La democracia y sus derechos', Zapatero stated, "I have facilitated it myself in the first person. It has been done through dialogue."
Despite facing boos and criticism from a gathering of Venezuelans at the event, he stood firm in his position, asserting, "I will not renounce that position and I will do so while maintaining that discretion out of loyalty to that task I perform and in respect to the people who have participated." This reflects his ongoing role as a mediator between Spain and the Chavismo government in Venezuela.
The former Prime Minister described the recent sequence of events leading to Gonzalez's safe departure from the Spanish Embassy in Caracas to Madrid, which took place on Sunday, September 8. González had sought refuge in the Dutch Embassy for several weeks and then spent final days under the protection of the Spanish diplomatic office after being placed on a wanted list by President Nicolás Maduro’s government, following the elections held on July 28.
Since his arrival in Madrid, both González and a significant part of the Venezuelan opposition, along with much of the international community, have called for the publication of official electoral records. These requests come amid serious allegations that the current government has claimed electoral victories without providing evidence to substantiate these claims.
Zapatero's confirmation of his role may reignite discussions surrounding the controversial nature of Venezuelan elections and the challenges faced by opposition leaders under Maduro's regime. His continued involvement as a mediating figure highlights the complex political dynamics in Venezuela, where political dialogue remains fraught with tension and disagreement.
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