04:05Hundreds of Venezuelans convened in front of the Spanish Congress in Madrid on Tuesday, advocating for the recognition of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia during a session that debated a non-binding vote urging the government to acknowledge him as the winner of the elections held on July 28.
At the end of the congressional session, Edmundo González's daughter appeared along with Venezuelan leaders exiled in Spain.
"I thank the Government of Spain for giving me and my family support and shelter in these difficult days. Compatriots, do not lose heart, I will not let you down," she said.
Protesters could be seen waving Venezuelan flags and holding banners calling the Spanish government to recognise who they described as 'president-elect'.
"We have the firm hope that tomorrow the Spanish Congress of Deputies will recognise Edmundo González as the elected president of Venezuela," said Antonio Ledezma, Former member of the Venezuelan parliament.
"There is an absolute truth, and that is that Edmundo Gonzalez was elected by the Venezuelan people. And we have to make the whole world recognise him as such," a protester added.
Earlier on Sunday, 75-year-old Gonzalez arrived in Spain with his wife after striking an agreement with the Venezuelan government. Earlier in the week, a warrant was issued for his arrest, accusing him of 'usurpation' of public duties, falsification of documents and instigation of disobedience and system sabotage as part of a criminal investigation into the July election.
Attorney General Tarek Saab said that 'safe conduct' had been agreed for Gonzalez to travel to Spain - after he had sought refuge in the country's embassy in Caracas - although Madrid claimed no official discussions had taken place. However, Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed the leader would be granted asylum.
Venezuela's National Electoral Council reported that Nicolas Maduro won a historic third term with 51 percent of the vote to his primary challenger's 44 percent in the presidential elections. Russia, China, and others congratulated Maduro after his re-election, while the US said it had 'serious concerns' about the vote.
The opposition claimed it won with more than 70 percent of the votes cast, although it did not provide any evidence. Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela has governed the country since 2007.
'We have a firm hope' - Rally outside Spanish Congress as lawmakers consider recognising exiled Gonzalez as 'winner of Venezuelan election'
Hundreds of Venezuelans convened in front of the Spanish Congress in Madrid on Tuesday, advocating for the recognition of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia during a session that debated a non-binding vote urging the government to acknowledge him as the winner of the elections held on July 28.
At the end of the congressional session, Edmundo González's daughter appeared along with Venezuelan leaders exiled in Spain.
"I thank the Government of Spain for giving me and my family support and shelter in these difficult days. Compatriots, do not lose heart, I will not let you down," she said.
Protesters could be seen waving Venezuelan flags and holding banners calling the Spanish government to recognise who they described as 'president-elect'.
"We have the firm hope that tomorrow the Spanish Congress of Deputies will recognise Edmundo González as the elected president of Venezuela," said Antonio Ledezma, Former member of the Venezuelan parliament.
"There is an absolute truth, and that is that Edmundo Gonzalez was elected by the Venezuelan people. And we have to make the whole world recognise him as such," a protester added.
Earlier on Sunday, 75-year-old Gonzalez arrived in Spain with his wife after striking an agreement with the Venezuelan government. Earlier in the week, a warrant was issued for his arrest, accusing him of 'usurpation' of public duties, falsification of documents and instigation of disobedience and system sabotage as part of a criminal investigation into the July election.
Attorney General Tarek Saab said that 'safe conduct' had been agreed for Gonzalez to travel to Spain - after he had sought refuge in the country's embassy in Caracas - although Madrid claimed no official discussions had taken place. However, Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed the leader would be granted asylum.
Venezuela's National Electoral Council reported that Nicolas Maduro won a historic third term with 51 percent of the vote to his primary challenger's 44 percent in the presidential elections. Russia, China, and others congratulated Maduro after his re-election, while the US said it had 'serious concerns' about the vote.
The opposition claimed it won with more than 70 percent of the votes cast, although it did not provide any evidence. Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela has governed the country since 2007.
Hundreds of Venezuelans convened in front of the Spanish Congress in Madrid on Tuesday, advocating for the recognition of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia during a session that debated a non-binding vote urging the government to acknowledge him as the winner of the elections held on July 28.
At the end of the congressional session, Edmundo González's daughter appeared along with Venezuelan leaders exiled in Spain.
"I thank the Government of Spain for giving me and my family support and shelter in these difficult days. Compatriots, do not lose heart, I will not let you down," she said.
Protesters could be seen waving Venezuelan flags and holding banners calling the Spanish government to recognise who they described as 'president-elect'.
"We have the firm hope that tomorrow the Spanish Congress of Deputies will recognise Edmundo González as the elected president of Venezuela," said Antonio Ledezma, Former member of the Venezuelan parliament.
"There is an absolute truth, and that is that Edmundo Gonzalez was elected by the Venezuelan people. And we have to make the whole world recognise him as such," a protester added.
Earlier on Sunday, 75-year-old Gonzalez arrived in Spain with his wife after striking an agreement with the Venezuelan government. Earlier in the week, a warrant was issued for his arrest, accusing him of 'usurpation' of public duties, falsification of documents and instigation of disobedience and system sabotage as part of a criminal investigation into the July election.
Attorney General Tarek Saab said that 'safe conduct' had been agreed for Gonzalez to travel to Spain - after he had sought refuge in the country's embassy in Caracas - although Madrid claimed no official discussions had taken place. However, Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed the leader would be granted asylum.
Venezuela's National Electoral Council reported that Nicolas Maduro won a historic third term with 51 percent of the vote to his primary challenger's 44 percent in the presidential elections. Russia, China, and others congratulated Maduro after his re-election, while the US said it had 'serious concerns' about the vote.
The opposition claimed it won with more than 70 percent of the votes cast, although it did not provide any evidence. Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela has governed the country since 2007.