Spain to grant asylum to Venezuelan opposition leader

Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia has requested political asylum in the European country, and that Spain would "obviously" grant it to him.

The election commission announced President Nicolas Maduro won the July vote, which raised questions from around the world about its fairness and transparency. Gonzalez declared victory.

Gonzalez was staying at the Spanish embassy in the capital Caracas amid the growing pressure. He was allowed to leave the country after arrangements by the governments of the two countries. Gonzalez's departure is expected to allow Maduro to further establish himself as the winner.