Exiled Venezuelan opposition figurehead Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia said Monday that he had been hospitalised in Spain for low blood pressure but that his condition was “stable”.
The 75-year-old, who says he won presidential elections in Venezuela in July, fled to Spain in September after incumbent President Nicolas Maduro claimed a victory widely dismissed as fraudulent.
“I want to inform all Venezuelans that I have been hospitalised due to a sudden episode of low blood pressure,” the ex-diplomat posted on X.
“Fortunately, my state of health is stable and I am receiving adequate medical attention in a Spanish public hospital.
“I am aware that my responsibility to the country as president-elect requires my speedy recovery, and my return to my duties will take place according to medical indications.”
Maduro was declared the winner of a third six-year term in the July vote but the opposition cried foul, saying it had detailed polling station numbers showing that Gonzalez Urrutia won handily.
The government has resisted intense pressure at home and abroad to release vote results to prove its claim of victory.
Protests erupted after the election and degenerated into clashes with police, resulting in 28 people killed, 200 injured and more than 2,400 arrested.
Spain granted Gonzalez Urrutia asylum on December 20 after Venezuela announced conspiracy and racketeering charges against him.
Only a handful of countries, including Venezuelan ally Russia, have recognised Maduro as the winner of the election.
du/ds/imm/js