Lopez gets blame

Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez is flanked by guards Tuesday in Caracas. (Associated Press)

Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has been at the center of rising tensions in Venezuela since he led the biggest demonstration yet against President Nicolas Maduro’s 10-month-old government, mobilizing more than 10,000 people on Feb. 12 to peacefully protest hardships ranging from rampant crime to 56 percent inflation.

The government blames the Harvard-educated Lopez for the mayhem that erupted after the rally ended and a group of students battled with security forces and armed pro-government militias, leaving three dead. Most of the demonstrators had gone home before the violence broke out.

Thank you for visiting Spokesman.com. To continue reading this story and enjoying our local journalism please subscribe or log in.

You have reached your article limit for this month.

Subscribe now and enjoy unlimited digital access to Spokesman.com

Unlimited Digital Access

Stay connected to Spokane for as little as 99¢!

Subscribe for access

Already a Spokesman-Review subscriber? Activate or Log in

You have reached your article limit for this month.

Subscribe now and enjoy unlimited digital access to Spokesman.com

Unlimited Digital Access

Stay connected to Spokane for as little as 99¢!

Subscribe for access

Already a Spokesman-Review subscriber? Activate or Log in

Oops, it appears there has been a technical problem. To access this content as intended, please try reloading the page or returning at a later time. Already a Spokesman-Review subscriber? Activate or Log in