The Fight for Venezuela.

Yesterday, Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López made the brave decision to hand himself over to the authorities. Before doing so, however, he gave a powerful and explosive speech to his fellow Venezuelans. With his country's flag around his shoulders and a small bunch of white flowers in his hand, López urged the protestors to remain peaceful and to keep fighting. He explained that "if [his] imprisonment helps awaken [the] people, it will have been worth it." The final jurisdiction on López's arrest remains undecided.




For those who are not up to date on the state of Venezuela, the main story is that the country is currently being run by socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro. In a country with a population of less than 30 million people, there have been almost 25,000 homicides just in the last year where no police arrests or government investigations have followed. Peaceful protestors have marched all over the country holding posters and letting their voices be heard, only to be met with gas bombs thrown, guns fired, and beatings by the military that is supposed to protect them. Some have even been killed.

In an attempt to put a stop to the opposition, Maduro took control of all forms of media and communication. The people of Venezuela are not even allowed to purchase paper, for Maduro's fear that someone will attempt to start an opposition newspaper. The only form of media that the Venezuelans had to speak out to the outside world was Twitter, but Maduro quickly shut that down as well.

Because the entire country of Venezuela is cut off from all modern forms of exercising free speech, the oppressed people have no choice but to march and let their physical voices be heard. Said López, "If the media remain silent, then let the streets speak out! Let the streets speak out with people! Let the streets speak out peacefully! And let the streets speak out in democracy!"

It is hardly necessary to comment on the sadness, anger, and hopelessness that the people of Venezuela must feel when faced with the monstrosities that their government has imposed upon them. But there is also no doubt that they can allow themselves at least a small glimmer of hope that justice will come to Venezuela. López's arrest has attracted worldwide media attention, and new tweets with #PrayForVenezuela are being posted every second. López remains a hero, and his fellow protestors continue to fight a peaceful fight for democracy in Venezuela.