Venezuelan Opposition Leader Claims Coercion in Election

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia has claimed he was coerced into signing a document that acknowledged Nicolás Maduro's victory in the disputed July 28 presidential election as a condition for his exile to Spain. González stated he faced intense pressure and threats from Maduro's allies, who presented the document at the Spanish embassy in Caracas. He insisted that the letter was meant to remain confidential, yet it was later publicly displayed by Jorge Rodríguez, Maduro's chief negotiator, who claimed González signed it voluntarily. The opposition has disputed the election results, asserting that González would have won based on their collected voting data. The situation highlights the increasing repression and political tension in Venezuela, as international observers question the legitimacy of Maduro's government. The U.S. and several EU nations have refused to recognize Maduro as the winner, further complicating Venezuela's political crisis.