Spain’s government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has chosen not to acknowledge a parliamentary motion recognizing Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner of the disputed July 2024 presidential election. The decision comes after Spain’s lower house passed a symbolic vote endorsing Gonzalez’s victory over incumbent President Nicolas Maduro.

During a visit to China, Sanchez reaffirmed that Spain’s stance on the Venezuelan election remains unchanged. He emphasized the importance of the release of detailed voting records under the supervision of a European Union mediator before any formal recognition of either candidate. Sanchez made clear that the Spanish government had not recognized either Maduro or Gonzalez as the legitimate victor, stressing the need for EU unity to help mediate the situation.

The lower house of Spain’s parliament saw a majority of 177 lawmakers from various parties supporting the motion, which claimed that Gonzalez won the July 28 election. However, Venezuela’s election board had declared Maduro the victor, dismissing opposition claims of widespread irregularities. The international community remains divided, with countries like the U.S., Argentina, and Peru recognizing Gonzalez as president-elect.

Venezuelan exiles gathered outside the Spanish parliament as the debate unfolded, hoping to draw attention to their country’s political crisis. Several Venezuelan opposition leaders were present during the session, receiving applause from lawmakers after the vote. Meanwhile, Gonzalez, who has taken refuge in Spain, has remained out of the public eye since his arrival.

Sanchez praised Spain’s history of offering asylum to political dissidents, reiterating the humanitarian commitment of the Spanish government to those facing persecution, including Venezuelans fleeing repression. However, he reaffirmed that the government’s position on the election dispute would remain neutral for the time being.