VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION/GONZALEZ Former Spanish PM Gonzalez hopes to visit jailed opposition in Venezuela

Record ID: 150324

  • Title: VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION/GONZALEZ Former Spanish PM Gonzalez hopes to visit jailed opposition in Venezuela
  • Date: 7th June 2015
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (JUNE 07, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** FORMER SPANISH PRIME MINISTER, FELIPE GONZALEZ, WALKING OUT OF AIRPORT GATE TO APPLAUSE MEDIA AROUND GONZALEZ AS HE WALKS THROUGH AIRPORT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FORMER SPANISH PRIME MINISTER, FELIPE GONZALEZ, SAYING: "They (government) know that I have come to see the family (of opposition
  • Embargoed: 22nd June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVACSGEJEMFSI7J9E2ZC8CRSFKBX
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez touched down in Caracas' international airport on Sunday (June 07) to meet opposition leaders in the country jailed for their roles in deadly protests against the government of socialist President Nicolas Maduro.
    Gonzalez, a socialist who headed Spain's government from 1982 to 1996, will meet with family members of opposition figures Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledezma. Lopez is suspected of masterminding anti-government protests and the government says Ledezma was plotting to overthrow Maduro.
    "They (government) know that I have come to see the family (of opposition leaders) and if possible Leopoldo (Lopez) and Antonio (Ledezma) but I don't have an itinerary and I have nothing to say," said Gonzalez.
    The former Spanish prime minister is working with the opposition leaders' defence teams. His involvement has drawn ire from Caracas where President Nicolas Maduro has accused him of supporting people who are plotting to overthrow his government. A statement from Venezuela's foreign ministry said Gonzalez was not "welcome" in the South American nation.
    But Gonzalez told media he has not had any problems since arriving in Venezuela.
    "Like any other citizen everything is fine, just like any other citizen without any problems," he said.
    International rights groups and human rights organizations have called on Maduro to free politicians jailed on charges of trying to destabilize the country. Maduro has responded that the country's justice system is autonomous and that the people in question are criminals.
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