Venezuelan Opposition Leader Gonzalez Says Forced To Sign Maduro's Victory Receipt Letter

Opponent leader Venezuelabero Gonzalez greeted his supporters. (Twitter/@Edmundogu 26)

JAKARTA - opposition leader Venezuelarulyo Gonzalez said on Wednesday he was forced to sign a letter of acceptance of a decision from a state high court acknowledging incumbent Nicolas Maduro in the July general election.

"Whether I sign or I will face the consequences," he said in a statement.

Statements by Venezuela's highest general election authority were approved by the country's Supreme Court, although officials have yet to issue a vote count showing Maduro's victory.

Gonzalez said he was met at the Spanish Embassy in Caracas by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and his brother Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly, who gave him the letter to sign.

"After that, there were very tense hours of coercion, extortion and pressure," Gonzalez said, adding he felt it would be more useful if he was free than locked up.

"A document made under coercion was completely worthless, due to a lack of serious consent," the statement added.

In Caracas, Jorge Rodriguez submitted a two-page letter signed by Gonzalez, saying the former 75-year-old presidential candidate had 24 hours to withdraw his claim.

"If you don't deny it within 24 hours, I will release the audio recording. That's your decision, Mr. Gonzalez," Rodriguez said, referring to the meeting he and his sister held with Gonzalez.

Gonzalez is currently in Spain, where he was granted political asylum earlier this month, after his arrest warrant was issued in Venezuela.

The national election board announced President Maduro as the winner of the presidential election, which took place on July 28, sparking allegations of fraud and widespread protests as the opposition published an online vote count showing Gonzalez had won.

Earlier this week, a UN report said the Maduro Government was stepping up repressive tactics to crush peaceful protests and defend power after the disputed general election in the South American country.