Venezuela’s opposition leader, Edmundo González, has made startling claims of being coerced into accepting President Nicolás Maduro’s electoral victory. González, who competed against Maduro in July’s presidential election, revealed this on September 18th, stating he was given an ultimatum to sign a letter acknowledging Maduro’s win or face consequences.
Currently seeking political asylum in Spain after a Venezuelan arrest warrant, González recounted facing pressure, coercion, and blackmail at the Spanish embassy in Caracas. Despite signing the document, he emphasized its invalidity due to coercion nullifying consent.
This development comes amid global concern over Venezuela’s political climate, with the UN criticizing Maduro’s government for repressive tactics against protestors. Despite the National Electoral Council declaring Maduro the winner, the opposition challenges the outcome, citing discrepancies in voting records.
As the controversy unfolds, Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez has given González 24 hours to retract his coercion claims, or face the release of incriminating audio recordings.
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