RECENTLY-FREED Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López and his wife have moved into the Spanish embassy in the capital, Caracas, but Spain's government says they have not applied for asylum as yet.
After his release yesterday (Tuesday), López – along with disputed national president Juan Guaidó – made an appeal to the military to rise up against deposed dictator Nicolás Maduro, leading to mass demonstrations in the street both in favour and against their move.
Spain said it it stood by Guaidó as president, but would not tolerate a military coup and urged him to call a democratic election, whilst European Parliamentary president Antonio Tajani said López's release made yesterday 'an historic day' and augured the start of freedom and democracy again in Venezuela.
Whilst Venezuelans based in Spain gathered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square, brandishing their national flags and championing Guaidó, López and his wife Lilian Tintori (pictured) and their 15-month-old daughter are said to have set up a temporary home in the Spanish embassy.
They initially sought refuge in that of Chile, but were reported today to have moved to that of Spain 'of their own free will', but not with any apparent intention of seeking asylum on Spanish soil.
Protests and riots across Venezuela, particularly in Caracas, on Tuesday caused one death and left at least 100 injured.
Maduro has called for the people and the military to retaliate and not to allow what he calls a coup d'état against his régime.
Leopoldo López, who was serving a 14-month sentence under house arrest at Maduro's orders, was released yesterday by the Armed Forces after Guaidó granted him a formal presidential pardon.
Spain's government, following Europe's lead, formally recognised Guaidó as president of Venezuela on February 4, in light of his proclaiming himself leader as an antidote to Maduro's dubious electoral victory.
Leader of the Spanish government's main opposition, the PP – Pablo Casado – has urged national president Pedro Sánchez to 'guarantee the safety' of López, Tintori and their little girl.
“It's not just a legal obligation, but also a duty on the part of our country in its defence of freedom and human rights,” Casado tweeted earlier today (Wednesday).
