Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González hospitalized in Spain

Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald on May 5, 2025

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Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González has been hospitalized in a public health facility in Spain following a sudden episode of low blood pressure.

González, widely recognized by the United States and several other nations as the legitimate president of Venezuela, is reportedly in stable condition.

“I am receiving excellent care from the medical and nursing staff. My family, my comrades in struggle, and I feel reassured knowing that I am in good hands,” González said in a statement issued from the hospital. The 75-year-old leader expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received during the health scare.

In his absence, the leadership of Venezuela’s democratic transition remains in the hands of María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition figure who has emerged as the driving force behind the movement for political change. González praised her resolve, stating that she is guiding the path to national transformation “with determination and commitment.”

González assured supporters that he will adhere strictly to medical recommendations as he recovers and reaffirmed his dedication to his presidential responsibilities. “I am aware that my responsibility to the country as president-elect requires my speedy recovery,” he said.

González is regarded by the U.S. and a growing number of countries as the rightful winner of the disputed July 28, 2024, elections. According to evidence presented by the Venezuelan opposition, González secured twice as many votes as strongman Nicolás Maduro. Despite widespread claims of electoral fraud, Maduro proceeded with a controversial swearing-in ceremony in January 2025, deepening the country’s political turmoil.

Fearing imprisonment by the Maduro regime, known for jailing political opponents, González fled to Spain shortly after the election. Public sentiment within Venezuela appears to align with the opposition’s claims. Recent polling indicates that nine out of ten Venezuelans believe Maduro lost the election, reflecting growing disillusionment with the authoritarian government.

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