Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Wednesday claimed "coercion, blackmail and pressure” to sign a letter admitting defeat in the disputed July election.

The Washington Post

Gonzales, now in exile in Spain, said Pres. Nicolas Maduro's allies asked him to sign the letter if he wanted to leave Venezuela "or I would face consequences."

Dw.Com

Gonzalez reportedly said "a document produced under duress is flawed by absolute nullity" and that Venezuelan authorities must disclose voting records.

Agenzia Nova

Spain gave Gonzalez asylum earlier this month after an arrest warrant was issued against him in Venezuela following Maduro's July 28 election victory.

Reuters

The electoral council had declared Maduro the winner without providing vote counts, but the opposition said it had won by twice as many votes as Maduro.

Guardian

Maduro's ally Jorge Rodríguez, the head of Venezuela's National Assembly, had earlier said that González had willingly accepted the election verdict.

Venezuela: Opposition Leader Says "Forced" to Admit Election Defeat

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Venezuela: Opposition Leader Says "Forced" to Admit Election Defeat

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters