Protests in Venezuela Mark One Year Since Opposition Leader's Arrest

Activists marched in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Wednesday, February 18, marking the first anniversary of the arrest of opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez. Lopez’s arrest came after widespread anti-government protests that resulted in 43 deaths in early 2014.

A number of Venezuelan celebrities and public figures voiced opposition to the politician’s ongoing detention, and concerns were raised by EU officials and human rights organizations. Speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative on September 23, 2014, US President Barack Obama called for Lopez’s release, calling the detention a form of political suppression. On February 18, El Universal in Caracas reported that two of the major political parties in Spain had lobbied for his freedom. Credit: Facebook/Miguel Barroeta