Venezuela Back in Madrid Spotlight as Feijóo Meets With President González: Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Partido Popular, held talks with Edmundo González, the recently elected president of the South American nation. The Spanish politician made his stance clear, calling for the immediate and complete dismantling of the Chavista regime and the release of all political prisoners. After the meeting, he issued a statement in support of democratic change and the return of opposition leaders to their homeland, including María Corina Machado.
Feijóo emphasized that he considers González the only legitimate president of Venezuela. He promised that even as an opposition party, the PP will push for the recognition of the country’s new leadership and will not allow the former regime to remain in power. His remarks included criticism of Spain’s current government, which conservatives say is too soft on the Venezuelan dictatorship.
The Spanish Position
While the Partido Popular demands tougher action, official Madrid is taking a more cautious approach. On the same day as the Feijóo-González meeting, Spain’s foreign minister addressed Congress to explain the government’s position on Venezuela. At the heart of the debate is the response to recent events following the US military intervention and subsequent detention of Nicolás Maduro.
The conservatives accuse Pedro Sánchez’s government of supporting Maduro even after his electoral defeat and now dragging its feet on recognizing González. Furthermore, they point out that Madrid continues to engage with Delcy Rodríguez, who, in their view, has no legitimate grounds to hold the presidency.
Calls for Sanctions
The Partido Popular is convinced that Spain should lead the international pressure on Caracas. In their opinion, this means not only maintaining but also tightening sanctions against representatives of the previous regime. Feijóo and his allies believe that any concessions would only prolong the crisis and result in further repression of the opposition.
Special emphasis is placed on the fate of political prisoners. Spanish conservatives are demanding their immediate release and the return of all forced exiles. They believe that only under these conditions is a true transition to democracy and free elections possible, with all opposition leaders able to participate.
European Support
Manfred Weber, Chairman of the European People’s Party, was also present at the meeting. His participation sent a signal: the issue of Venezuela goes beyond Spanish domestic politics and is now a matter for the entire European Union. Weber announced a special session of the European Parliament dedicated to the situation in Caracas and the need for a peaceful transition to democracy.
Other influential figures also joined the discussion: Ildefonso Castro, head of foreign policy for the Partido Popular, Dolors Montserrat, Secretary General of the EPP, and Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, Deputy Speaker in the Spanish Parliament. All expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan opposition and pledged to seek support at the European level.
Divisions within Spain
The domestic debate in Spain over the Venezuelan issue is growing increasingly tense. The Partido Popular accuses the Socialists of turning a blind eye to human rights violations in Caracas and of avoiding decisive action. In response, government officials stress the need for diplomacy and warn against drastic moves that could escalate the conflict.
Meanwhile, the fate of political prisoners and the future of Venezuela remain topics of heated debate not only in Madrid but also in Brussels. Spanish conservatives insist that only a firm European stance can shift the situation. However, there is still no consensus on the issue, and the Venezuelan opposition continues to seek international support.
