BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo GonzálezThe man, recognized by the United States as the winner of last year’s presidential election, began an international tour Saturday heading to Washington, days before President Nicolas Maduro is sworn in for a third term, defying international pressure.
A crowd of several hundred Venezuelan migrants appeared as González waved to supporters from the balcony of Buenos Aires’s iconic Casa Rosada (Pink House) as he emerged from a meeting with Argentine President Javier Millay. “Edmundo, Presidente,” he started shouting.
Mr. Millay, an ardent far-right supporter of Venezuela’s opposition, welcomed Mr. González to the presidential palace with honors normally accorded to heads of state, saying: “We are doing whatever the cause of freedom demands.” Ta.
González, a retired diplomat, fled to Spain in September following the judge’s ruling. arrest warrant After the July 28 presidential election, the National Electoral Council, made up of supporters of the ruling party, declared Maduro the winner.
He has vowed in recent weeks to travel to Venezuela to take the oath of office for his presidential term, which by law begins on January 10. But he has not said how he plans to take back power from Maduro or whether he intends to take it away. The Party controls all institutions and the military.
“I’m going to be there by whatever means necessary,” González said on Jan. 10.
On Thursday, Maduro’s government upped the stakes further, announcing a $100,000 reward for information on González’s whereabouts and posting photos of the former diplomat on social media and on arrival boards at the country’s main airports. I have attached the wanted notice.
González said at a news conference that he hopes to head to the United States on Saturday night to meet with President Joe Biden after a brief stay in Uruguay for talks with President Luis Lacalje Pou. . He will also visit Panama and the Dominican Republic as part of an impromptu regional tour.
González, who twice served as Venezuela’s ambassador to Argentina more than 20 years ago, used the visit to highlight the plight of hundreds of Venezuelans who remain imprisoned as part of President Maduro’s post-election crackdown. I used it.
During his meeting with Milay, the two discussed the safety of five of President Maduro’s opponents. Evacuated to the Argentine ambassador’s residence I stayed in Caracas for about 10 months. Maduro’s government severed ties with Argentina and expelled its diplomats after Milay and other regional leaders refused to recognize Maduro’s re-election.
But the government denied that the activists were holed up in a secure passageway inside the diplomatic compound so they could seek asylum in Argentina. As part of the diplomatic standoff, the Maduro government last month Argentine National Guard arrested He was trying to enter the country on terrorism charges. According to Argentina, police officer Nahuel Gallo traveled to Venezuela to visit his wife, who is from Venezuela, and her family.
An estimated 220,000 Venezuelans are thought to reside in Argentina, out of more than 7 million refugees who have fled political turmoil, economic turmoil and political repression by President Maduro since 2014. is part of.
Janet Avila, a 51-year-old schoolteacher who left Venezuela two years ago, was among those who gathered outside the presidential palace to greet González.
“I am very grateful to the Argentinians. They were beautiful to me, but I want to go home and be with my family,” she said.
The Biden administration and most European governments rejected the official results of the electionHe pointed out that authorities did not provide detailed results like in past elections. On the other hand, the following copy is tally sheet González won by more than 2-1, according to data collected by the opposition from 85% of electronic voting machines nationwide.
Mr. González, 75, demonstrated a previously unknown level of professional diplomacy when he was tapped to rally the anti-Maduro coalition as a last-minute replacement for opposition figure Maria Colina Machado, who the government had banned from running. He was a government official.
