Venezuela’s opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, has revealed that he was forced to admit defeat in the country’s presidential election under duress. In a video message released on Wednesday, Gonzalez claimed that the Maduro regime coerced him into signing a letter acknowledging Nicolas Maduro as the winner.
Gonzalez explained that he had no choice but to sign the letter, stating that he was given an ultimatum: sign or face the consequences. He recalled feeling fearful for his life and said that he was forced to make a difficult decision to ensure his safety.
The letter, dated September 7, was addressed to National Assembly leader Jorge Rodriguez and acknowledged the National Electoral Council’s decision to declare Maduro the winner. However, Gonzalez has since described the letter as a “compromised statement” made under coercion.
Gonzalez explained that he considered it more beneficial to sign the letter and ensure his safety, rather than risk being imprisoned as a political prisoner.
In response, Jorge Rodriguez, the head of the National Assembly, has denied Gonzalez’s claims, stating that the letter was genuine and that Gonzalez had signed it voluntarily.
Rodriguez also threatened to release recordings of conversations between Gonzalez and himself, which he claims will refute Gonzalez’s allegations. He has given Gonzalez 24 hours to retract his statements.
Despite the threats, Gonzalez remains defiant, referring to himself as the “president-elected of millions and millions of Venezuelans who voted for change, democracy and peace.”
