04:17Venezuelan citizens in Madrid, including members of opposition parties, were seen queuing at a polling station to cast their ballots as the presidential election in Venezuela got underway on Sunday.
"This is certainly not a conventional election," said opposition leader Antonio Ledezma. "It is about rescuing freedom and liberty."
"That is why we hope today will come to an end with a flourish instead of a bloodbath, as Nicolas Maduro macabrely threatened, and that there will be a bath of tears to celebrate Edmundo's victory," he added.
Footage shows voters queuing, registering and casting their ballots, with police patrolling the area.
Co-ordinator of the 'Comando con Venezuela' party based in Spain Jose Antonio Vega described the elections as a 'historic day for all Venezuelans'.
"We must respect what millions of Venezuelans are expressing at the ballot box today," he said.
According to media reports, Venezuelans of Spain faced difficulties with embassies requiring Spanish residency permits for 12 months. The embassies themselves did not comment on the reports.
President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a third consecutive term in office. Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) has governed the country since 2007.
His main challenger is Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat. Opposition frontrunner Maria Corina Machado backed Gonzalez after she was banned from taking part amid corruption allegations which she denies.
Around 17 million people are eligible to vote. Polling stations are open between 6am and 6pm local time.
'Hope today ends with flourish not a bloodbath' - Venezuelan opposition's Ledezma as diaspora in Madrid votes in presidential election
Venezuelan citizens in Madrid, including members of opposition parties, were seen queuing at a polling station to cast their ballots as the presidential election in Venezuela got underway on Sunday.
"This is certainly not a conventional election," said opposition leader Antonio Ledezma. "It is about rescuing freedom and liberty."
"That is why we hope today will come to an end with a flourish instead of a bloodbath, as Nicolas Maduro macabrely threatened, and that there will be a bath of tears to celebrate Edmundo's victory," he added.
Footage shows voters queuing, registering and casting their ballots, with police patrolling the area.
Co-ordinator of the 'Comando con Venezuela' party based in Spain Jose Antonio Vega described the elections as a 'historic day for all Venezuelans'.
"We must respect what millions of Venezuelans are expressing at the ballot box today," he said.
According to media reports, Venezuelans of Spain faced difficulties with embassies requiring Spanish residency permits for 12 months. The embassies themselves did not comment on the reports.
President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a third consecutive term in office. Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) has governed the country since 2007.
His main challenger is Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat. Opposition frontrunner Maria Corina Machado backed Gonzalez after she was banned from taking part amid corruption allegations which she denies.
Around 17 million people are eligible to vote. Polling stations are open between 6am and 6pm local time.
Venezuelan citizens in Madrid, including members of opposition parties, were seen queuing at a polling station to cast their ballots as the presidential election in Venezuela got underway on Sunday.
"This is certainly not a conventional election," said opposition leader Antonio Ledezma. "It is about rescuing freedom and liberty."
"That is why we hope today will come to an end with a flourish instead of a bloodbath, as Nicolas Maduro macabrely threatened, and that there will be a bath of tears to celebrate Edmundo's victory," he added.
Footage shows voters queuing, registering and casting their ballots, with police patrolling the area.
Co-ordinator of the 'Comando con Venezuela' party based in Spain Jose Antonio Vega described the elections as a 'historic day for all Venezuelans'.
"We must respect what millions of Venezuelans are expressing at the ballot box today," he said.
According to media reports, Venezuelans of Spain faced difficulties with embassies requiring Spanish residency permits for 12 months. The embassies themselves did not comment on the reports.
President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a third consecutive term in office. Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) has governed the country since 2007.
His main challenger is Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat. Opposition frontrunner Maria Corina Machado backed Gonzalez after she was banned from taking part amid corruption allegations which she denies.
Around 17 million people are eligible to vote. Polling stations are open between 6am and 6pm local time.