Sánchez meets with Venezuelan opposition figure amid diplomatic tensions.

In a gesture that has generated various interpretations, the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, received Edmundo González Urrutia, a former Venezuelan opposition candidate who has claimed victory in the recent presidential elections in his country, on Thursday at La Moncloa. This meeting took place a day after Congress, at the proposal of the Popular Party (PP), urged the Spanish Executive to officially recognize that victory, amidst a tense political climate in Venezuela and diplomatic conflicts with Nicolás Maduro's regime. The meeting was marked by a notable institutional silence. It was not included in Sánchez's official agenda and was organized without the presence of media, leading some analysts to question the intent behind this encounter. The only images available were published by Sánchez himself through his account on the social network X, where a relaxed and informal atmosphere is observed, with the president not wearing a tie and walking through the gardens of La Moncloa alongside González and his daughter Carolina. The official communication regarding the meeting emphasized its humanitarian and solidarity character. In his message, Sánchez highlighted that Spain remains committed to defending human rights and democracy in Venezuela. However, there was no mention of González's electoral victory, which could be interpreted as an attempt not to further escalate tensions with the Chavista regime. The former candidate arrived in Madrid on a Spanish Air Force plane after requesting political asylum at the Spanish embassy in Caracas. This trip and the swiftness of his meeting with Sánchez are seen as a reflection of the support Spain is attempting to offer the Venezuelan opposition, albeit cautiously, to avoid provoking an escalation in diplomatic relations with Venezuela. In the context of this meeting, the Venezuelan National Assembly, dominated by Chavismo, reacted with threats to sever relations with Spain, underscoring the growing polarization facing the South American country. Tensions have increased in recent days, especially after the Spanish Congress decided to recognize González as the elected president, an act that has been viewed by Maduro's regime as interference in Venezuela's internal affairs. For his part, González has maintained a low profile following his meeting with Sánchez. Instead of making immediate public statements, he chose to issue a statement thanking Spain for its hospitality and reaffirming his commitment to democracy and human rights in Venezuela. In this message, he also emphasized his intention to continue fighting for the will of the Venezuelan people, who expressed themselves in the elections of July 28, where, according to his claims, more than eight million voters supported his candidacy. Expectations are high among the Venezuelan opposition, which has begun to organize international mobilizations to demand broader recognition of González as the elected president. A large demonstration is scheduled in Madrid for September 28, coinciding with the second month since the elections, in an attempt to maintain pressure on the Spanish Government and the international community. However, the situation is delicate. González has expressed concern about the possible repercussions his stay in Europe may have on his family and friends who remain in Venezuela, a country where political repression is a constant. The opposition's strategy, therefore, must be measured and calculated, taking into account the safety of those still under Maduro's regime. On the other hand, González's future on the international stage is uncertain. It remains to be seen whether he will attend the upcoming session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where a resolution proposal similar to the one approved by the Spanish Congress will be debated. This will be an important step for his international recognition and pressure on the Chavista regime. In summary, the meeting between Sánchez and González reflects an attempt by Spain to position itself as an ally of the Venezuelan opposition in its quest for recognition and international support, while navigating a sea of diplomatic tensions that could have significant implications both nationally and internationally. The situation in Venezuela remains a delicate issue, and the international community is closely watching the upcoming moves of its key actors.