This Friday, Pedro Sanchez has been in telephone contact with both Delcy Rodriguez (who has assumed command after the capture of Nicolas Maduro) and opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez.
Through his official channels, Sánchez has stressed that Spain’s position will be to favor a “peaceful, dialogued and democratic” transition. The president has emphasized that this process must be “led by the Venezuelans themselves”, a statement that is interpreted as a message of autonomy against the direct influence of Donald Trump’ s administration after the recent U.S. military operation.
The first contact with Venezuela’s new stage
This conversation represents Spain’s first direct approach to the new institutional order in the Caribbean country after the events of January 3, when U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro to bring him to justice in New York. Sánchez has reiterated that Spain wants to be a bridge to bring positions closer and that Latin America has in our country a constant ally in this new era.
17 minutes of dialogue with Edmundo González
The call with Edmundo Gonzalez, who has been in exile in Madrid for months, lasted 17 minutes and took place immediately after the arrival in Spain of the five political prisoners released yesterday was confirmed.
In spite of the climate of détente due to these releases, Gonzalez was categorical with the Spanish president: freedom cannot be a “tactical gesture” or a partial one. The opposition leader demanded that the process should include all political prisoners and that it should have international supervision to avoid maneuvers by Chavism.
He also reminded Sanchez that the real transition requires respecting the results of the July 28 elections, disarming the paramilitary groups and putting a stop to political persecution.
Government’s position on the situation in Venezuela
Despite the fluidity in the dialogue, the Spanish government maintains a cautious position. Although other countries have already taken the step, Madrid has not yet granted Edmundo Gonzalez the official status of president-elect.
This “watchful waiting” strategy seeks to keep channels of communication open with all parties to ensure that changes in Venezuela are structural and not mere moves of convenience. According to Gonzalez, the international community knows perfectly well how to distinguish between empty promises and real commitments to the rule of law, urging Spain to keep up the pressure to achieve full democracy.
