Venezuelan Opposition Leader Seeks Asylum in Spain Amid Political Crisis

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez relocated to Spain seeking asylum after the disputed July election led to an arrest warrant against him. Arriving at the Torrejon de Ardoz military base, Gonzalez cited threats to his safety. European leaders condemn his forced departure, calling it a 'sad day for democracy in Venezuela.'

Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez flew into Spain on Sunday to seek asylum, Madrid said, hours after quitting his country amid a political and diplomatic crisis over July's disputed election. Gonzalez - who has challenged President Nicolas Maduro's declaration of victory - arrived at the Torrejon de Ardoz military base with his wife, Spain's foreign ministry said in a statement.

The exit of the 75-year-old - seen by the U.S., the EU and other powers in the region as the winner of the disputed vote - came a week after Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for him, accusing him of conspiracy and other crimes. 'Today is a sad day for democracy in Venezuela,' European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement. 'In a democracy, no political leader should be forced to seek asylum in another country.'

Spanish officials, including former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, linked to diplomatic relations in the South American country in the past, were involved in a week of negotiations with Venezuelan authorities for Gonzalez to leave the country.

(With inputs from agencies.)