After days of mounting bilateral tensions, Venezuelan International Minister Yván Gil has summoned Spain’s ambassador in Caracas with a purpose to protest at a minister’s description of his nation’s authorities as a “dictatorship”.
Gil described as “insolent, meddling and impolite” feedback made by Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles.
Whereas discussing numerous repressive regimes all over the world, Robles spoke of the “women and men who’ve needed to go away Venezuela exactly due to the dictatorship they’re dwelling by way of”.
Gil, writing on messaging app Telegram, mentioned the remarks “point out a deterioration of relations between the 2 international locations”.
In addition to summoning the Spanish ambassador, Ramón Santos, he mentioned the Venezuelan ambassador in Madrid, Gladys Gutiérrez, had been recalled for session.
On Sunday, the Venezuelan opposition politician Edmundo González arrived in Madrid, requesting asylum which the Spanish authorities mentioned it might course of.
González’s supporters say he was the clear victor when he ran towards President Nicolás Maduro in a July election.
Maduro has insisted he gained, though with out making public electoral paperwork to show it, drawing worldwide condemnation.
González took refuge within the embassy of the Netherlands and the residence of the Spanish ambassador earlier than travelling to Spain.
His allies have said his life was in danger in Venezuela.
Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez met with González on Thursday.
Spain has shut cultural and financial ties with Venezuela, making the South American nation a delicate difficulty in nationwide politics.
This week, the right-wing opposition introduced a non-binding movement which the Spanish Congress authorized calling for Sánchez’s authorities to recognise González as president-elect.
Nonetheless, the Sánchez administration prefers to stay according to the EU, which doesn’t settle for Maduro’s victory declare, however says electoral paperwork should be seen earlier than acknowledging González because the winner.
Earlier than Robles made her feedback, the president of the Venezuelan nationwide meeting, Jorge Rodríguez, known as for “all diplomatic relations, all industrial relations” with Spain to be damaged off and for all flights between the international locations to be cancelled.
A number of main Spanish firms function in Venezuela, together with Repsol, Santander, BBVA, Telefónica and Inditex.
Official figures present that 278,000 Venezuelans had been residing in Spain originally of 2023, though that determine is believed to have elevated considerably since.
Responding to the Venezuelan authorities’s announcement of diplomatic measures, Spanish International Minister José Manuel Albares mentioned: “We work to have the absolute best relationship with the Venezuelan individuals.”
