Venezuelan far-right presidential candidate Edmundo González exiting a religious campaign event due to health issues, escorted by his wife. Photo: Venezuela News.
With 11 days to go before Venezuelan presidential elections, the electoral campaign of the far-right opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia could falter due to health issues.
Various local media outlets reported this Tuesday, July 16, that the Unitary Platform candidate suddenly fainted during afternoon mass at the Virgen del Carmen Church in Petare, Caracas. After the incident, the activity was suspended and the premises evacuated.
Edmundo González was brought back to consciousness inside a vehicle, but his team prevented him from being taken to a medical center so that information about his health status would not be leaked.
Local media reported that the opposition candidate’s fainting was due to a hypertensive crisis. A stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA)—i.e. brain damage as a result of blood pressure—as potential causes have not been ruled out, so he remains under medical supervision.
The incident caused him to put his electoral campaign activities on hold until further notice. This Wednesday, the opposition leader even published a video via social media to explain some of the situation.
Ante los últimos acontecimientos: pic.twitter.com/4hDMrg2Ogi
— Edmundo González (@EdmundoGU) July 17, 2024
Edmundo González stated in the video that he has a cold that prevented him from attending a political rally and parade in Guanare, Portuguesa state.
He also denied social media reports and rumors indicating that he suffers skin cancer. The opposition candidate explained that he does not suffer from any terminal illness, and that the spots on his skin are the result of capillary fragility.
(RedRadioVE) by Ana Perdigón
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/AU
