Gonzalez, whom the opposition insist was the real winner of a July election awarded to Maduro, told Reuters during an interview in Madrid he could have been jailed and possibly tortured had he stayed

Edmundo González claims he was coerced into recognising President Nicolás Maduro's victory in disputed elections.

Venezuela's opposition leader said he was forced into signing a letter recognizing President Maduro's victory earlier this month.

Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez will remain a "very clear voice" pushing for change in his country despite fleeing to seek asylum in Spain, exiled opposition members Antonio Ledezma and Leopoldo Lopez told Reuters on Tuesday.

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.