Murphy Statement On Venezuelan Opposition Leader Fleeing Baseless Arrest By Maduro Regime

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Monday released the following statement on reports that Edmundo González, the Venezuelan opposition candidate for president and likely winner of the July 28 election, fled his country under threat of imminent arrest and received asylum in Spain.

"Nicolas Maduro knows he lost this election, which is why he's employing the playbook of autocrats and dictators - using his corrupt allies to falsify election results and moving to jail his political opponents. He's desperately trying to cling to power after voters clearly rejected his continued rule.

"While I am grateful to our partners in Spain for providing asylum to Edmundo González in support of the Venezuelan people, the Venezuelan authorities must immediately drop the charges against him and allow his return home free of threats of violence or arrest, together with all those exiled or unjustly held as political prisoners. The United States must stand with the people of Venezuela who bravely continue their fight for democracy."

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