Venezuela’s former opposition candidate says he was coerced into signing a letter effectively recognizing his defeat in July’s presidential election.

Edmundo González said the government made him sign a document recognizing President Nicolás Maduro as the election winner before he could flee to Spain.

CARACAS (Reuters) -Venezuela opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who stood against President Nicolas Maduro in July's election, on Wednesday said he was forced to sign a letter accepting a ruling from the country's top court which recognized Maduro's victory.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez said he was forced to accept Nicolas Maduro as the victor in July's disputed presidential election to get out of the Spanish Embassy in Caracas and escape from the country.

Edmundo González claims he was coerced into recognising President Nicolás Maduro's victory in disputed elections.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González said he was put under pressure to sign a document recognising the electoral victory of President Nicolás Maduro, in a post on X. González is currently in Spain and said his signature was a condition imposed by Maduro's government for letting him travel to Spain,

Venezuela’s opposition candidate was forced to admit Nicolas Maduro as the election winner in July. Edmundo Gonzalez released a video message on Wednesday claiming that the Maduro regime pressured him into signing a letter stating he lost the election.