Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez arrested
Supporters of opposition chief come onto streets of Caracas after Leopoldo Lopez detained
Venezuelan security forces have arrested opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez on charges of fomenting unrest that has killed at least four people, bringing tens of thousands of his supporters onto the streets of Caracas.
Crowds of white-clad protesters tried to block the vehicle carrying the 42-year-old Harvard-educated economist after he made a speech, said farewell to his family, and gave himself up to soldiers.
Opposition leaders hope Lopez's arrest will galvanise street demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro.
"I am handing myself over to an unfair justice system," the protest leader told supporters while standing on a platform next to a statue of Cuban poet and independence hero Jose Marti.
"May my imprisonment serve to wake the people up," he said.
The crowd lifted his wife up to give him a final embrace and hang a crucifix around his neck.