Edmundo González misses event in Madrid due to hospitalisation but remains committed to the Venezuelan cause

An absent leader but present in spirit

The elected president of Venezuela, Edmundo González, has announced his absence from the scheduled event this Saturday at the Royal Post Office in Madrid, where he was to be awarded the International Medal of the Community of Madrid. Through his social media, González revealed that he has been "hospitalised for a few days" due to post-operative follow-up and regretted not being able to be present alongside María Corina Machado, who will receive the Gold Medal during the same event.

Despite his medical situation, Edmundo González has made it clear that his commitment to Venezuelans remains intact. In an emotional message, he expressed: "I have been hospitalised for a few days and I hadn't announced it before because I wanted to wait for María Corina to arrive in Madrid." This gesture reflects not only his desire to be physically present at such a significant moment for the Venezuelan community abroad but also his unwavering support for Machado.

González confirmed that he received a visit from María Corina Machado in the hospital just before the event. Both leaders discussed the current challenges and the necessary strategies to advance their common goals. "This moment is yours," González stated referring to the gathering taking place in Madrid. "I confess that I waited until the last moment with the hope of being present; reality prevents me from doing so."

Despite his physical absence, Edmundo González urged all Venezuelans present at the event to attend and represent those who cannot. "Go for those of us who cannot," he emphasised, thus highlighting the importance of mutual support among compatriots. He also stressed that every word and image from the event will be closely followed from his hospital bed.

The opposition leader also reflected on the significance of the gathering: "With it, we get a little closer to the day we make our return journey, the one we all have pending, the one to return to Venezuela." This statement resonates with many exiled Venezuelans who long to return to their homeland under better circumstances.

Edmundo González concluded his message by apologising for not being able to be physically present and thanking all attendees for keeping the flame of hope alive for Venezuela.