Venezuelan opposition leader Lopez secretly left the country



Venezuela's top opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has secretly left the country. His family has confirmed the veracity of this information. The news agency AFP reported on Saturday.


For almost a year and a half, Lopez took refuge in the Spanish embassy in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. From there he moved to Colombia, his family said. He was supposed to go to Spain later.


After leaving the country, Lopez himself tweeted. He tweeted, ‘Venezuelans, this decision was not easy. But you can be sure, this servant will fight from anywhere.


Lopez, along with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guido, called for a coup to oust the country's president, Nicolas Maduro. He then took refuge in the Spanish embassy.


Lopez was arrested in 2014 on charges of inciting violent political protests. Lopez repeatedly denied the allegations but was sentenced to 14 years in prison.


Lopez was placed under house arrest in 2016. Opposition-backed security agents released him last year, but he remains under house arrest.


A Venezuelan court later issued an arrest warrant against Lopez. The court said he violated the conditions of the house arrest. He faces up to 14 years in prison.


In the ensuing situation, Lopez sought refuge at the residence of the Spanish ambassador in the Venezuelan capital. He took refuge in the Spanish embassy in April 2019.


Lopez's father said on Saturday that his son had left the embassy two days earlier. He crossed the Colombian border last Friday. From there he was to go to Spain. He is scheduled to meet his wife and three children in Madrid, Spain.







Maduro's government has not commented on Lopez's departure.


Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guado also tweeted welcoming the message. "Maduros, nothing is out of your control," he tweeteds.


The United States has welcomed Lopez's departure. The virtual U.S. embassy for Venezuela in Colombia said in a tweet, ‘We are happy to see Lopez released.


The country's illegitimate government has detained hundreds of people for disagreeing with Maduro. They are a threat to the government. Because there are people with them. Besides, they have the courage to demand constitutional rights. '


Venezuela has been plagued by years of economic crisis as well as political instability.


The country is facing a severe crisis of energy, electricity, and potable water. Protests were also held across the country last month.