Venezuela furious at Spain `dictatorship` comment

Venezuela has escalated its diplomatic tensions with Spain, summoning Spain’s ambassador in Caracas to formally protest remarks made by Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles, who referred to the Venezuelan government as a "dictatorship." Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil denounced the comments as "insolent, meddling, and rude," expressing the country’s dissatisfaction with the accusation. Robles' remarks, made during a discussion on oppressive regimes worldwide, touched on Venezuelans who had to flee "because of the dictatorship they are living through." This statement prompted a sharp rebuke from Venezuela, with Gil warning that the relationship between the two nations was deteriorating. In response, Venezuela also recalled its ambassador in Madrid, Gladys Gutiérrez, for consultation.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition politician Edmundo González, who sought asylum in Spain after claiming victory over President Nicolás Maduro in a contested July election, has added to the mounting tension. Although González’s allies assert that he won the election, Maduro insists he remains the legitimate winner, despite not releasing electoral documents to verify his claim. The disputed election has drawn widespread international criticism. González sought refuge first in the Dutch embassy and later in the residence of the Spanish ambassador before traveling to Spain, citing concerns for his safety. His arrival in Spain has further complicated the diplomatic landscape, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez meeting González last week. While Spain’s Congress has approved a non-binding motion urging the government to recognize González as the president-elect, Sánchez's government has maintained alignment with the European Union’s position, which has yet to officially endorse either candidate pending a review of electoral documents.

The diplomatic row intensified earlier when Jorge Rodríguez, the president of Venezuela's national assembly, called for Venezuela to sever all diplomatic and commercial ties with Spain, even suggesting a halt to all flights between the two countries. The move could have significant economic ramifications, as several major Spanish companies, including Repsol, Santander, BBVA, Telefónica, and Inditex, operate in Venezuela. According to official statistics, 278,000 Venezuelans were living in Spain at the beginning of 2023, though the actual number is believed to be much higher now. Despite Venezuela’s diplomatic actions, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares responded by affirming Spain’s commitment to maintaining the best possible relationship with the Venezuelan people. ⚡ Image Credit: GettyImages