María Corina Machado held a virtual press conference to discuss the departure of Edmundo González, the virtual winner of the presidential elections on July 28 who has now gone into exile in Spain due to judicial harassment from the chavismo. She reiterated her commitment to staying in the country and fighting for the return to democracy. Here, it was revealed that 500 citizens had issued a statement demanding respect for popular sovereignty and showing support for Machado.
The opposition leader made a plea to the Armed Forces and police forces to uphold popular sovereignty as a republican tradition, emphasizing the clear victory achieved by González. She acknowledged that it was understandable for the candidate to prioritize his personal safety amid the threats received by him and his family from the chavismo. Despite this, Machado declared that nothing changes in her opinion, as the urgency, legitimacy, agenda, and strategy all remain the same despite González’s departure. She mentioned that the details of the operation that led him to leave Venezuela will be disclosed at the appropriate time.
Machado has brought together prominent intellectuals such as Elías Pino Iturrieta and Corina Yoris, along with civil activists like Nicmer Evans, Sairam Rivas, and Lorenzo Tovar, to propose permanent organizational mechanisms to consolidate the transition strategy. They will continue to denounce the abuses of the chavista regime and the electoral fraud that took place. All participants agreed that González’s exile was morally and politically justifiable, and expressed confidence in its potential benefits abroad.
The process that forced Edmundo to leave Venezuela will be revealed in due course, along with the specifics of the operation that led to his departure. Despite his absence within the country, González will continue to carry out his functions from abroad. Machado remains committed to the cause of democracy and urged citizens to join in the effort to transition to a more democratic government. She emphasized the importance of maintaining the same level of urgency, legitimacy, and strategy in the fight against the chavismo regime.
In conclusion, María Corina Machado’s press conference addressed the departure of Edmundo González and reaffirmed her commitment to democracy and the fight against the chavismo regime. She called for the support of the citizenry and urged the Armed Forces and police forces to uphold popular sovereignty. The coalition of intellectuals and activists aims to strengthen the transition strategy and continue to denounce the regime’s abuses and electoral fraud. Despite González’s exile, Machado remains resolute in her stance and believes that nothing changes in the urgency, legitimacy, agenda, and strategy of their fight for democracy.
