Venezuelan Opposition Leader Claims Coercion in Accepting Maduro's Election Win

Edmundo González alleges he was forced to sign a letter recognizing Nicolás Maduro's victory to secure asylum in Spain.

Edmundo González, the opposition candidate in Venezuela's July presidential election, claims he was coerced into signing a letter recognizing Nicolás Maduro's victory.
González said he faced intense pressure, blackmail, and threats while hiding in the Spanish embassy in Caracas before fleeing to Spain.
Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela's National Assembly, presented the signed letter in a televised press conference, asserting González signed it voluntarily.
The Venezuelan opposition and several international bodies dispute the election results, asserting that González actually won by a significant margin.
González has been granted political asylum in Spain and continues to declare himself the elected president, vowing to fulfill the mandate of the Venezuelan people.