Venezuela’s opposition leader, wanted for inciting violence, peacefully turned himself into authorities on Tuesday, shortly after dueling marches poured into the streets of the capital city Caracas.
Leopoldo Lopez handed himself over to the National Guard in a move he said will enlighten the world about the increasingly authoritarian bent of Venezuela’s socialist government, the Associated Press reported. He turned himself in as pro- and anti-government activists held demonstrations while security forces armed with riot gear and water cannons stood nearby.
“I have nothing to hide,” Lopez told his supporters before surrendering to army officers with a pump of his fist. He got into the military vehicle with a Venezuelan flag in one hand and a white flower in the other, Reuters reported.
“May my jailing serve to wake up a people,” he said in his speech.
Lopez, 42, had said he would lead the anti-government march before handing himself into authorities, the BBC reported.
The nation has been in a tense state recently, with four people killed in the unrest in the past week.
Lopez emerged from days of hiding to give his speech to supporters, who were dressed in white.
He told them he doesn’t fear going to jail to defend his beliefs against President Nicolas Maduro.
The charges he faces stem from violence last week in the protests. Supporters canted “Leopoldo, the people are with you,” as he was driven away. [NBC]