Leopoldo López is a Venezuelan opposition leader and global advocate for democracy. After serving as mayor of the Chacao municipality in Caracas (2000-2008), he founded the Voluntad Popular political party and led non-violent protests against the regime of Nicolás Maduro. He spent seven years as a political prisoner before making a daring escape in 2020. Today, as cofounder of the World Liberty Congress, López unites activists worldwide in the fight against autocracies, championing freedom. He is a global fellow at the Wilson Center, a think tank in Washington, DC.
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Live from TED2026
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