Venezuela’s former opposition candidate, Edmundo González, on Wednesday said he was coerced into signing a letter effectively recognizing his defeat in July’s presidential election, which electoral authorities claim was won by President Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who stood against President Nicolas Maduro in July's election, on Wednesday said he was forced to sign a letter accepting a ruling from the country's top court that recognized Maduro's victory. "Either I signed or I faced the consequences," he said in a statement.

Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia disclosed he was coerced into signing a letter conceding defeat to Nicolas Maduro. Now granted asylum in Madrid, Urrutia insists the letter is invalid and maintains his electoral victory.