Venezuela rally supports jailed opposition leader

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Thousands of Venezuelans who oppose their country’s socialist-led government have held a peaceful rally in the capital to protest the detention of an opposition leader and to call for an early presidential election.

Anti-government activists massed to voice support for hard-line opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who has been held in a military prison since being arrested in February on charges of fomenting violence as a result of the initial protests. A judge ordered last week that Lopez proceed trial.

Those at Sunday’s protest also renewed their call for President Nicolas Maduro to leave office and for Venezuela to hold a new presidential election.

During the gathering in east Caracas, leaders of the student movement that has spearheaded the anti-government demonstrations this year called for a new protest on June 24.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up