Mr. Lopez’s party, Popular Will, did not say how he left Venezuela, though two people familiar with his exit said he emigrated via Colombia. Counseled by Mr. Lopez, Guaido then invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency in a bid to unseat Mr. Maduro. In April 2019, when Guaido spurred a brief military revolt against Mr. Maduro, Mr. Lopez appeared on the streets alongside him. Guaido confirmed Mr. Lopez’s escape in a Twitter message and ridiculed Mr. Maduro for failing to capture him. On Saturday, the Spanish foreign ministry said on Twitter that Mr. Lopez’s decision to leave was “voluntary and personal.”

Source: The Hindu October 24, 2020 20:03 UTC