Venezuela says presidential opposition leader Edmundo González has left country

The Venezuelan government said Saturday opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia — in hiding after he challenged President Nicolas Maduro's disputed reelection — has left the country, seeking asylum in Spain.

"After taking refuge voluntarily at the Spanish embassy in Caracas a few days ago, (Gonzalez) asked the Spanish government for political asylum," Venezuela's vice president said on social media, adding that Caracas had agreed to his safe passage and that he had left.

The opposition could not immediately be reached for comment.