Chilean Embassy Grants Asylum to Venezuelan Opposition Politician Lopez - Foreign Ministry

MEXICO CITY (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 01st May, 2019) One of the leaders of Venezuelan opposition Leopoldo Lopez has been granted refuge at the Chilean embassy in Caracas, Chilean Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero said late on Tuesday.

"[Lopez's wife] Lillian Tintori and his daughter entered the residence of our diplomatic mission in Caracas as guests. A few minutes ago they were joined by her [Tintori's] husband Leopoldo Lopez, who remains with his family in this place. Chile reaffirms its support for Venezuelan democrats," Ampuero wrote on Twitter.

Lopez had been held in prison for a long time and then under house arrest serving his 14-year sentence for having a role in the 2014 violent protests, which claimed lives of over 40 people. On Tuesday, Lopez escaped house arrest to join Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who had illegally proclaimed himself president of Venezuela, near La Carlota military base in Caracas.

In 2000s, Lopez served as a mayor of the Chacao Municipality of Caracas.

The politician is a founder and leader of Venezuela's Popular Will party.

On Tuesday morning, Guaido and his supporters gathered in Caracas on a highway in front of La Carlota military base. Previously, Guaido called on the people of Venezuela and the army to take to the streets to complete the operation to overthrow the legitimate head of state, Nicolas Maduro.

Large-scale protests against Maduro began in Venezuela on January 21 soon after he was sworn in for a new term. Guaido proclaimed himself an interim leader of the country. A number of Western countries, including the United States, backed his claim. Maduro, in turn, has accused the United States of trying to orchestrate a coup in order to install Guaido as its puppet. Russia, China, and a number of other countries have voiced their support for Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela.