It was a well-publicised event: Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez had previously announced he was prepared to risk arrest and march through the streets of Caracas. <br /><br />On Tuesday he voluntarily handed himself over to police but not before urging tens of thousands of anti-government protesters to remain firm. <br /><br />“Don’t leave the streets…we must take up our right to protest but we must do it peacefully. Brother, I ask you and every Venezuelan who wants change…we must inform ourselves, gather ourselves…organise ourselves and hold non-violent protests,” said Lopez at a well attended rally in the Venezuelan capital.<br /><br />Lopez is wanted on government charges of murder and “terrorism” but claims he is being made a scapegoat by President Nicolas Maduro. <br /><br />At least four people have died during demonstrations against Maduro’s handling of the economy, corruption and product shortages.<br /><br />But there is no sign the socialist leader who replaced the late Hugo Chavez is lacking support among Venezuela’s poor. They fear losing popular oil-funded welfare programmes should Maduro lose power.<br /><br />.
