Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González arrived in Guatemala following Nicolás Maduro’s recent inauguration for a third term. He originally planned to return to Venezuela but cited security concerns. The opposition claims González won the presidential election, contrary to the ruling government’s assertions. Diplomatic discussions are forthcoming with Guatemalan leadership.
Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González arrived in Guatemala on Tuesday, just four days after Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration for a third presidential term. Guatemala’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Carlos Ramiro Martínez, announced that President Bernardo Arévalo intends to meet with González on Wednesday.
González, acknowledged by multiple nations as the legitimate winner of the recent presidential election, had initially pledged to return to Venezuela to assume office. However, during Maduro’s swearing-in ceremony, González retracted his statement, citing inadequate security conditions for his return.
An unnamed airport official in the Dominican Republic reported that González departed from a small airport near Santo Domingo on Tuesday aboard a private aircraft. He had been residing in the Dominican Republic for the past six days.
Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, which is filled with Maduro loyalists, declared the president the winner of the July 28 election without providing detailed vote counts to substantiate the result. Nonetheless, the opposition acquired tally sheets from 85% of electronic voting machines and shared them publicly, indicating that González had secured more than double the votes compared to Maduro. Observers from the U.N. and the U.S.-based Carter Center validated the authenticity of the opposition’s published tally sheets.
The political climate in Venezuela continues to be heavily contested, particularly following Maduro’s controversial election victory. The opposition claims substantial evidence of manipulation in the electoral process, supported by independent observers who corroborate the opposition’s claims. Edmundo González’s recent actions and statements reflect the ongoing struggle for political legitimacy in Venezuela and the contentious relationship between the Maduro government and the opposition.
The arrival of Edmundo González in Guatemala underscores the ongoing political turmoil and contention surrounding Nicolás Maduro’s presidency in Venezuela. Despite claiming electoral victory, significant disputes about the legitimacy of the election persist. González’s plans to engage with international leaders reflect his dedication to advocating for the Venezuelan opposition’s cause. The situation remains fluid and highlights the challenges faced by those seeking democratic governance in Venezuela.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
