SANTO DOMINGO.-The Dominican Republic was the air link used by Spain to transport Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia into exile without officially informing the Dominican authorities of the operation, official sources revealed to EL DÍA.
The aircraft arrived in the country on Friday at 12:25 midnight, hours before the arrival of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the Dominican Republic.
The flight’s initial purpose was to refuel, something that is usually routine, but its crew was forced to remain in the country all day Friday, until Spain could obtain with the Venezuelan government a safe conduct for González to leave the South American country, where an arrest warrant had been issued against him.
Once the air pass was obtained, the plane left the Dominican Republic at 18:56 on Saturday, returning that same day at 23:20 and, after refueling again, departing for Spain at 12:28 in the morning on Sunday.
The journey then culminated with Edmundo’s arrival in Madrid together with his wife and the Secretary of State for Global Foreign Affairs of Spain, Diego Martínez.
“From now on, the process for requesting asylum will begin, the resolution of which will be favourable in the interest of Spain’s commitment to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans, especially political leaders,” Spain said.
United States and DR
Despite the exile, the United States continues to insist on its position towards the Venezuelan government. “Return to a democratic path that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people,” said Blinken during his visit to the country last Friday.
At a press conference with President Luis Abinader, Blinken stressed that “putting Venezuela on a democratic path is of the utmost importance, first of all for the Venezuelan people,” but also for the entire hemisphere and for other countries that have expressed concern about the situation in the South American country.
“We are deeply concerned about the trajectory in Venezuela following the election, where the will of the people could not have been clearer. Unfortunately, that will and their votes have not been reflected in what has happened since then,” Blinken said, referring to the presidential elections of July 28.
That day, the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed Nicolás Maduro the winner, a move that has been questioned by the opposition and numerous countries.
A concern shared by Abinader, who assured that the Dominican Republic will continue working with the international community and other countries to “defend democracy and the desire of the Venezuelan people” and that his Government will continue to support the resolutions on the matter of the Organization of American States.
The Dominican Republic recently handed over to the United States an official plane belonging to Nicolás Maduro that had been in the country since last May for maintenance, which Washington claimed as part of the sanctions applied to Caracas.
This prompted statements by Venezuela’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, that after the delivery of the plane, he will catch it (the Dominican government) “on the down low” in reference to oil.
“We don’t have oil, but our economy is bigger than Venezuela’s, so we will continue to defend democratic principles, now in the Government and for as long as we live,” Abinader responded.
European Union warns
The European Union also warned about the current conditions in Venezuela and reiterated its position despite the asylum granted by Spain to González.
They indicated that they will continue to demand the presentation of the minutes of the vote count as a way of validating the electoral process that lasted just over a month, in which its organizers declared Maduro the winner without presenting evidence.
Gravity
Meanwhile, the crisis is worsening in Venezuela following a witch hunt against opposition leaders in that country.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado warned of a “serious threat” against six opposition members who have taken refuge in the residence of the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, after the government accused them of planning “terrorist activities,” and revoked the authorization it had granted to Brazil to protect the interests of the southern country, following the expulsion of the Argentine diplomats in August.
“The alleged and absurd accusations against them, as well as the unilateral decisions by the Venezuelan regime (…) represent a serious threat against them,” Machado said.
More on the topic
—1— History
Relations between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela have traditionally been close.
—2— Differences
Even under Hugo Chávez, the country was able to keep its distance from ideological debates.
—3— Break
The violation of democracy under Maduro changed everything.
Sudden change
– Moment
In just half a year, the standard-bearer of Venezuela’s largest opposition coalition, Edmundo González Urrutia, went from being an anonymous retiree to a well-known politician who faced Maduro in a controversial election.
