Venezuela opposition candidate Gonzalez leaves for Spain as diplomatic tensions rise

Venezuela’s former presidential opposition candidate has left for Spain following the contested election. The candidate, who ran against President Nicolas Maduro, sought refuge in the Spanish embassy in Caracas. He left the country on a Spanish Air Force plane in response to a request from Spain. The opposition claims that the election resulted in a victory for the candidate, but the Venezuelan government and electoral authority maintain that Maduro won re-election for a third term. Tensions between Venezuela and Brazil escalated after Brazil’s authorization to represent Argentine interests in Venezuela was revoked. The embassy where six opposition figures are sheltering was accused of planning assassination attempts. Both Brazil and Argentina condemned the unilateral decision and urged Maduro to respect diplomatic relations.