Spain's PM defends grant of asylum to Venezuelan opposition: Video

Urrutia, 75, arrived in Madrid late Sunday after weeks in hiding following Venezuela's disputed July 28 presidential election, which he claims to have won.

The Spanish government has refused to recognise Nicolas Maduro’s victory in the election, with Sánchez calling for the publication of the election results. He emphasised that Spain is working toward unity within the European Union to mediate the political crisis in Venezuela, the AFP reports.

“From a political point of view, the Spanish government has been clear since the elections were held: We have asked for the publication of the results (tally sheets of the July 28 Venezuelan elections, ed.), we have not recognised Nicolas Maduro's victory, and we are doing something very important: working for unity in the European Union,” Sánchez said, adding that Spain is committed to building bridges between the EU and China in a separate diplomatic matter.

Sanches further stated that “asylum is first and foremost a gesture of humanity, a civil humanitarian commitment of Spanish society and, by extension, of its government, to people who are unfortunately suffering persecution and repression. And this is what we have done with Edmundo Gonzalez (Venezuelan opposition candidate, ed)."

After arriving in Spain, Urrutia expressed hope for change in Venezuela, saying he left "so that things can change and we can build a new stage for Venezuela."