In a move that apparently surprised everyone, including his family and colleagues, Venezuelan authorities released political prisoner Leopoldo Lopez in the middle of the night on July 8. Lopez, a prominent democracy activist who has long challenged the authoritarian socialism of Hugo Chávez and his successor Nicolás Maduro, had been held, often in solitary confinement, since even before he was sentenced on trumped-up political charges in early 2014. After a closed-door trial in which he was denied a proper defense, he was sentenced, with a sort of Orwellian particularity, to serve 13 years, 9 months, 7 days, and 12 hours.
Lopez, who has been sentenced to house arrest, held Venezuela’s flag to his heart as he briefly addressed supporters. Greeting a cheering crowd from the roof of his house, Lopez appeared to be in good health, reassuring many who had worried that he was being released because of illness. Instead Lopez made a point of the fact that many Venezuelans remain political prisoners, and declared that he would continue his crusade, saying “If continuing to fight for liberty means risking my return to Ramo Verde [the prison where he was held] I am ready to do it.”
His wife Lilian Tintori, who has been indefatigable in her public support of him, tweeted “I won’t forget to think of all those families who still suffer the pain of separation from their unjustly imprisoned loved ones.”
The economic and civic situation in Venezuela has continued to worsen over the last several months. In some parts of the country, it has been reported, people have lost an average of about 20 pounds because of food shortages. And even if there’s food available—an increasingly big “if”—the money you have in the morning may not buy a loaf of bread in the afternoon. According to opposition figures released this week, the inflation rate hit 176 percent in the first half of this year.
The infant mortality rate has skyrocketed, as has the incidence of malaria and some other contagious diseases, but obtaining medical care is more and more difficult. Venezuelan physicians have been increasingly vocal about their inability to provide care with almost literally no supplies of medicine and equipment. The sick or their families must bring in their own bandages and morphine, if they can get hold of them.
Hunger and anger are bitter flavors, and in recent months even many who were the beneficiaries of Chavista redistribution in the oil boom years have taken to the streets in protest along with their more politically-oriented countrymen. More than 90 people have died in violence associated with the enormous demonstrations, most apparently victims of governmental security forces or groups they encourage.
Earlier this week, on July 3, Julio Borges, president of the opposition-led National Assembly, announced the date of an unofficial plebiscite to gauge support of President Nicolás Maduro’s attempt to convene an assembly to change the constitution. Voters will also be asked what role the military should play in restoring order, and whether they would back a unity government.
The opposition plebiscite will take place on July 16, ahead of a Maduro-backed vote on July 30 for delegates to his proposed constitutional convention.
