“In a democracy, no leader should seek asylum”

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrellhas declared that this Sunday is “a sad day for democracy” due to the need of the presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez to request political asylum and accept the protection of Spain, despite the fact that he would be the winner of the elections in Venezuela “by a large majority” according to the available records.

“Today is a sad day for democracy in Venezuela,” Borrell lamented in a statement on the occasion of today’s departure. González Urrutia’s exile in Spain due to “repression, political persecution and direct threats to their safety and freedom.”

The opposition leader travels this Sunday on a Spanish Air Force plane to Spain, where the Government of that country will grant him political asylum.

“The political leader and presidential candidate Edmundo González has had to ask for political asylum and to take advantage of the protection offered by Spain“, Borrell lamented.

The head of European diplomacy has recalled that “Edmundo González, according to the copies of the minutes publicly available, would be the winning presidential candidate of the elections by a large majority.”

“In a democracy, no political leader should be forced to seek asylum in another country,” the head of European diplomacy stressed.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has also demanded that the Venezuelan authorities, on behalf of the EU, “end the repressionarbitrary arrests and harassment against members of the opposition and civil society, as well as release all political prisoners.”

“The EU will continue to support the Venezuelan people in their democratic aspirations,” he concluded.

Government Statements

The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albaressaid this Sunday that Spain will grant González the asylum he has requestedin a statement to the press in Muscat (Oman), during a stopover on his trip to China with the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez.

The head of Spanish diplomacy explained that González has requested asylumwhich, “of course”, “the Government of Spain will process and grant.”

Albares also reported that he had spoken with González Urrutia already on board the Spanish Air Force plane and that He had expressed his gratitude to her.

In turn, Sánchez said this Saturday that Edmundo González is “A hero whom Spain will not abandon“, in a speech at a meeting of senior officials of the Spanish Socialist Party.