Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo González arrived in Spain on Sunday after being granted safe passage through an agreement between Venezuela and Spain.

González, 75, landed at the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base near Madrid around 4 PM local time. He was accompanied by his wife and Spain’s Secretary of State for Global Affairs Diego Martínez Belo. Upon arrival, they were greeted by Susana Sumelzo, Spain’s secretary of state for Latin America. The Spanish Foreign Ministry announced that González would begin the asylum process, with Spain ensuring his protection and political rights.

Last week, Venezuela’s Public Prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for González after he missed three hearings related to opposition-released election results. The charges against him include “disobedience of laws,” “conspiracy,” and “forgery of public documents.” These charges were strongly rejected in a joint communiqué by Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic and Uruguay. The charges stem from the July elections, in which President Nicolás Maduro was officially re-elected to a third term amid accusations of fraud from the opposition. González, backed by the Democratic Unity Platform (PUD), claims victory in the election and has demanded a detailed breakdown of the results, which the National Electoral Council has yet to provide.

On Saturday, Venezuelan President Maduro authorized González’s safe passage, a decision respected by the Venezuelan Public Prosecutor’s Office. Attorney General Tarek William Saab confirmed the move, citing Venezuela’s commitment to constitutional rights regarding asylum. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also verified González’s arrival on a Spanish Air Force plane, reaffirming Spain’s commitment to protecting the political rights and safety of Venezuelans.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado condemned the Venezuelan government’s persecution of opposition figures following the contested elections, calling it “state terrorism.” She emphasized that the threats against González and his supporters were part of a larger effort to undermine Venezuela’s democratic process.

The Democratic Unity Platform (PUD) also issued a statement in support of González’s decision to seek asylum, describing it as further evidence of “state terrorism” under the Maduro regime. The coalition remains steadfast in ensuring González’s inauguration as Venezuela’s president on January 10, 2025, as stipulated by the Constitution. They called on all Venezuelans to stand united against the government efforts to suppress their democratic aspirations.

Spanish President Pedro Sánchez praised González as a “hero” and promised that Spain would continue to support him and other political activists from Venezuela. Sánchez reiterated Spain’s commitment to defending democracy and protecting persecuted political figures worldwide.

In a statement released shortly after his arrival in in Madrid, González  expressed his determination to continue fighting for freedom and democracy in Venezuela. He recounted the threats and coercion he faced upon departing Caracas but affirmed his commitment to achieving democratic change in his country.