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September 12, 2024

Spanish Congress Recognizes Edmundo González as Venezuela's President-Elect
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In Venezuela, the government of Nicolás Maduro is threatening to cut
ties with Spain after the Spanish congress voted Wednesday to recognize
opposition leader and former presidential candidate Edmundo González as
president-elect of Venezuela, days after he was granted asylum in Spain.
But Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who reportedly is meeting with
González today, said he will not recognize González as Venezuela's
president.

This comes as Human Rights Watch warns Venezuelans who have fled the
country, including during the post-election crackdown on protests, have
few options for asylum or protection in neighboring countries, leading
them to attempt to cross the treacherous Darién Gap. This is Human
Rights Watch chief Tirana Hassan.

Tirana Hassan: "Cases of asylum seekers and migrants we spoke to at the
border, they said that they had actually watched the security forces
open fire and shoot and kill protesters. They had watched the colectivas
searching for those who participated in the protests."



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