By Canadian Press

Opposition activist leaves embassy haven to flee Venezuela

Oct 24, 2020 | 10:36 AM

MEDELLIN, Colombia — Prominent opposition activist Leopoldo López has abandoned Spain’s embassy in Caracas and is leaving Venezuela, two people familiar with the situation said Saturday.

The people spoke on the condition of anonymity so as not to interfere with his plans.

López has been holed up in the Spanish ambassador’s residence since a failed military uprising he led in April 2019 against the government of socialist President Nicolás Maduro.

López he had been serving a house arrest sentence since July 2018 after being sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison for allegedly inciding violence due to the deaths of protesters during a February 2014 march against Maduro.

López spent three years in the Ramo Verde military prison on the outskirts of Caracas, where he was often denied visits by relatives and attorneys.

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Human rights organizations described him as a political prisoner and both U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump had demanded his freedom.

The Associated Press