This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-32871566
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Venezuela opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez on hunger strike | Venezuela opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez on hunger strike |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Prominent jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has announced he has gone on hunger strike demanding "freedom for political prisoners". | Prominent jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has announced he has gone on hunger strike demanding "freedom for political prisoners". |
In a video leaked from prison, Mr Lopez called for an end to censorship, and for the government to set a date for parliamentary elections. | |
He also urged Venezuelans to join peaceful marches next Saturday "for peace and democracy". | |
Mr Lopez is accused of inciting violence during protests last year. | Mr Lopez is accused of inciting violence during protests last year. |
More than 40 people, from both sides of the political divide, were killed in months of protests against the government of Nicolas Maduro. | More than 40 people, from both sides of the political divide, were killed in months of protests against the government of Nicolas Maduro. |
The authorities say Mr Lopez incited violence and encouraged demonstrators to vandalise government buildings at the end of a protest in February 2014. | |
He was charged and arrested a few days later. | |
Mr Lopez said fellow jailed opposition politician Daniel Ceballos was also on hunger strike. | Mr Lopez said fellow jailed opposition politician Daniel Ceballos was also on hunger strike. |
'Crime and corruption' | |
The video was recorded in Mr Lopez's cell, in the Ramo Verde prison, near Caracas. | |
Wearing a white shirt and a crucifix, Mr Lopez says the Venezuelan economic crisis has deteriorated since his arrest. | Wearing a white shirt and a crucifix, Mr Lopez says the Venezuelan economic crisis has deteriorated since his arrest. |
"One year and three months after our call for change, the situation has got even worse. More queues, more inflation, more scarcity, more crime, more corruption," Mr Lopez said. | |
"We want to call for a demonstration. A strong, massive, peaceful demonstration without any kind of violence in the streets of Venezuela next Saturday. | |
"Let's go out for peace and democracy. Let's not lose hope, let's not lose faith." | |
'End of censorship' | |
The video was uploaded on YouTube and tweeted by his wife, Lilian Tintori. | The video was uploaded on YouTube and tweeted by his wife, Lilian Tintori. |
Shortly before the video was released, Mr Ceballos was transferred from Ramo Verde to a prison away from the Venezuelan capital. | Shortly before the video was released, Mr Ceballos was transferred from Ramo Verde to a prison away from the Venezuelan capital. |
Mr Ceballos is the former mayor of San Cristobal, an opposition stronghold. | Mr Ceballos is the former mayor of San Cristobal, an opposition stronghold. |
"We have three clear demands - freedom for all political prisoners, the end of censorship and repression and that the date for the parliamentary elections is set," Mr Lopez added. | |
Last month a group of former world leaders sent an open letter to the Venezuelan government expressing its concern "for the difficult social, economic and political situation" in Venezuela. | |
The group also urged the release of opposition leaders who were jailed for allegedly inciting violence. | The group also urged the release of opposition leaders who were jailed for allegedly inciting violence. |
Previous version
1
Next version