Venezuela’s opposition ex-candidate ‘forced’ to accept Maduro’s election win

Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez waves to supporters during a political event at a square in the Hatillo municipality of Caracas, Venezuela (Ariana Cubillos/AP)

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

The revelation of the letter is the latest strain to the country’s political crisis, which was exacerbated by the disputed election results and Mr Gonzalez’s recent departure for exile in Spain.