The controversy surrounding the departure of Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González to Spain began on a Thursday morning when Esteban González Pons, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs and a member of the Popular Party, accused the Spanish government of being complicit in a coup d’état in Venezuela. Pons claimed that Spain was involved in the forced exile of the elected Venezuelan president. This accusation ignited a political firestorm, with the leader of the opposition demanding the resignation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. However, González himself later refuted these claims, stating that he had not been coerced by the Spanish government or its ambassador in Venezuela. The government of Pedro Sánchez defended its actions, accusing the opposition of using lies and exaggeration to attack the government.
Edmundo’s departure from Venezuela on September 7 was shrouded in mystery, as he was facing persecution by the Venezuelan government. To leave the Spanish embassy in Caracas and board a plane, he was forced by Maduro’s allies to sign a document recognizing the legitimacy of the current Venezuelan president and agreeing not to act as president in exile. The images of this event were released by the Venezuelan authorities, leading the Popular Party to label it as a “coup d’état” orchestrated by Spain. However, González broke his silence and denied any pressure from Spain, stating that the diplomatic efforts were only aimed at facilitating his departure without coercion. Government officials, such as Minister of Transport Óscar Puente, defended the government’s handling of the situation and criticized the opposition for exploiting the situation for political gain.
Minister Óscar López also weighed in on the issue, accusing the opposition of incompetence and bad faith in their attacks on the government. He highlighted the contradictory statements made by Feijóo demanding the resignation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and González’s subsequent denial of any coercion. Minister Albares defended his handling of the situation, emphasizing the need to ensure González’s safety and expeditious departure from Venezuela. He acknowledged that the situation was complex but emphasized that Spain’s actions were aimed at upholding democracy and human rights. Albares criticized the opposition for forcing González to issue a statement and called for an apology from Feijóo to the Spanish foreign service.
In a television interview, Albares continued to refute the opposition’s claims, stating that the Spanish embassy in Venezuela provided a safe space for González to make calls and communicate freely. He denied any involvement in the drafting of the document signed by González under pressure from Maduro’s allies. Albares expressed regret over the opposition’s actions and reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. The controversy surrounding González’s departure highlighted the political tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, with each side accusing the other of manipulating the situation for political gain. Despite the conflicting narratives, the government maintained its stance on the issue, defending its actions as necessary to protect González’s safety and uphold democratic values.
