Opposition leader María Corina Machado has vowed to remain in Venezuela despite the exile of fellow opposition figure Edmundo González Urrutía, who sought political asylum in Spain following the disputed presidential election. Opposition leaders have been increasingly targeted by President Nicolás Maduro's government after contesting the election results.
In a post on X, Machado responded to González's departure, reassuring Venezuelans that he will continue fighting from abroad and will be sworn in as president in 2025. "His life was in danger, and the increasing threats, summonses, arrest warrants, and even attempts at blackmail and coercion demonstrate that the regime has no scruples or limits in its obsession to silence and break him," Machado wrote in Spanish.
A los venezolanos,
— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) September 8, 2024
Edmundo González Urrutía, Presidente electo de Venezuela ha salido del país y se encuentra en España.
A partir de nuestra histórica victoria del 28 de julio de 2024, el régimen desató una brutal ola de represión en contra de todos los ciudadanos,…
González, who arrived in Spain today, fled after an arrest warrant was issued against him. He became the opposition's presidential candidate after Machado was disqualified from running in the election by Venezuela's Supreme Court. Machado subsequently supported González's candidacy and was highly involved in his campaign. Despite opposition claims that González won by a large margin, the National Electoral Council declared Maduro the victor. The results have faced widespread criticism, with Machado and other opposition leaders accusing Maduro of electoral fraud.
Machado, one of the most prominent opposition figures still in Venezuela, has frequently accused Maduro's government of persecution. Earlier this year, she survived an alleged assassination attempt after her vehicle's brakes were tampered with. "Our cars were vandalized, and the brake lines were cut," she posted on social media, showing images of the damage. She also reported being followed by regime agents before the incident. The attempt came just one day after her campaign security chief, Milciades Ávila, was arrested under unclear circumstances.
ALERTA MUNDIAL
— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) July 18, 2024
Esta madrugada cometieron un atentado contra mí y mi equipo en Barquisimeto, estado Lara. Nuestros carros fueron vandalizados y cortaron la manguera de los frenos.
Agentes del régimen nos siguieron desde Portuguesa y rodearon la urbanización donde pernoctamos.
La… pic.twitter.com/D40gXm9lsT
Machado has vowed to keep the pressure on Maduro, calling for international recognition of the opposition's victory. "Venezuelans, this fight is UNTIL THE END, and the victory is ours," she declared in her letter. She urged the international community to act, emphasizing the need for measures to hold Maduro's government accountable for post-election abuses.
Speaking from an undisclosed location, Machado recently reaffirmed her commitment to working toward a peaceful transition of power. She has been negotiating with various factions in Venezuela and abroad, pushing for guarantees and incentives to encourage a resolution. "We will not back down," she said, emphasizing her determination to continue the fight against Maduro's government.
Violence has surged across Venezuela since the election, with at least 24 people killed and dozens injured, according to reports from Human Rights Watch. The United Nations has reported that more than 2,400 people have been detained, contributing to what international observers describe as a "climate of fear."
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