Venezuela's opposition candidate for the presidency speaks to the Associated Press

(10 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Caracas, Venezuela - 09 May 2024
1. Various of Gonzalez speaking
2. Portraits showing opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez posing with his granddaughters
3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Edmundo Gonzalez, opposition presidential candidate
Journalist asks: "Why should people vote for Edmundo, for the opposition?"
"Because we offer a different Venezuela. We offer a Venezuela that can live again in peace, freedom and democracy, where nobody has to be persecuted for their political ideas. Where there are no political prisoners, where there can be a confrontation of ideas in a natural way, as in any democratic society."
4. AP journalists speaking with Gonzalez ++CUTAWAYS ++
5. Gonzalez showing portraits ++CUTAWAYS ++
6. Wide view of Caracas as seen from Gonzalez' apartment ++CUTAWAYS ++
7. Gonzalez speaking
STORYLINE:
The news of his candidacy took Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat, by surprise when he was in Spain visiting the family of one of his daughters.

"No, that was not among my plans and I was the first one surprised", said Gonzalez to the Associated Press.

Gonzalez spoke from the balcony of his apartment in a quiet neighborhood on a hill in south-eastern Caracas. From there, his tranquil life shifted to an around-the-clock schedule with dozens of interviews and a tight political agenda.

But he is not touring the country yet, he leaves that job to the undisputed leader behind the ballot, Maria Corina Machado, who easily won an opposition primary last year but a ban against her blocks her candidacy.

Machado is rallying the country, showing Gonzalez’ banner for people to get to know him and further increase their support to achieve the coalition’s so-desired goal: to win the elections, take office and overhaul the country.

"It should not seem strange that opposition leaders are campaigning differently, in different scenarios", Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez came to the scene as a key player who seeks to become the historic figure to lead the opposition towards a political transition after 25 years of the ruling socialist party.

"We offer a Venezuela that can live again in peace, freedom and democracy, where nobody has to be persecuted for their political ideas. Where there are no political prisoners, where there can be a confrontation of ideas in a natural way, as in any democratic society", Gonzalez said.

AP Video shot by Juan Arraez

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