The Spanish foreign minister says his country is offering political asylum to the Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate, Edmundo González. What hope now for the opposition? Also in the programme: A number of Israeli civilians have been shot dead at a border crossing between Jordan and the Occupied West Bank, after a night of cross-border missile exchanges between Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops; and, a warning to the West about the danger of Russian spies. (Photo: Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez on the day he casts his vote in the country's presidential election, in Caracas, Venezuela. Credit: REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)
Hello, and welcome to Newshour from the BBC World Service.
Coming to you live from London.
I'm Paul Henley.
The leader of Venezuela's political opposition is on his way to Spain today, having been offered asylum in Madrid.
Edmundo Gonzalez had been in hiding in his home country, ignoring various summons to appear before prosecutors, arguing that turning up would have cost him his freedom.
Madrid's foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albarez Bueno, has confirmed that mister, Mister Gonzalez left Caracas on a spanish military plane.
I was able to speak to him once he was on the plane and he expressed his gratitude to the government and to Spain.
I told him how happy we are that he is well and on his way to Spain.
And I reiterated the government's commitment to the political rights, freedom of expression, and demonstration of all Venezuelans.
Venezuela's been in political crisis since July, when Nicolas Maduro declared himself the victor of elections.
The US, the European Union and numerous latin american countries have refused to accept the result, which still hasnt been backed up by any convincing data.
Lets speak live to doctor Vanessa Neumann.
She is the former London envoy of Juan Guaido, the former leader of the venezuelan opposition, who was recognized by 50 countries as Venezuelas leader.
And Doctor Neumann joins me now live from Madrid.
What is your reaction to this?
Hi.
Thank you very much for having me.
Well, it's dismay, dismay and a little bit of here we go again.
I mean, in Madrid you have a huge swaths of the opposition here in exile.
You have a straight, it's a little bit like Buenos Aires after World War two.