[ELUNIVERSAL] The Spanish government announced on Thursday that it will not hand over to the authorities Leopoldo López, a refugee in the residence of the Spanish ambassador in Caracas and the subject of an arrest warrant.The government of Spain "in no case contemplates the delivery of Leopoldo López to the Venezuelan authorities nor his eviction from the Ambassador's Residence," the executive said in a statement from the Foreign Ministry, AFP reported.
In the text, the Executive of the socialist Pedro Sanchez, who in early February recognized the political leader Juan Guaidó as interim president, also recalls the "immunity and inviolability" enjoyed by both the embassy and the official residence of the ambassador.
Since April 30, López and his family are refugees in the residence of the Spanish ambassador "as guests," according to the Spanish statement. On Thursday, the Caracas court issued an arrest warrant for the opposition leader for violating "flagrantly" the house arrest he was held in August 2017.
Madrid made this position public after a meeting between its ambassador in Caracas and the foreign minister, Jorge Arreaza, to "analyze the situation," according to the statement.
In it, the Spanish government shows its confidence that the issue does not affect their bilateral relations and their desire to "find a solution as soon as possible."