When Leopoldo Lopez turned himself in to authorities this week , he did it on his terms -- and not before climbing onto a statue of a Cuban national hero to deliver a passionate message to hordes of his supporters gathered at a square in the eastern Caracas neighborhood of Chacaito . Lopez , 42 , a former mayor and presidential candidate , had planned the event in advance , making extensive use of social media to summon his supporters to Brion Square . He went into hiding last week after the government of President Nicolas Maduro accused him of terrorism and murder and blamed him for inciting anti-government protests throughout Venezuela . The protests have so far left several people dead and countless injured . Venezuela : What 's the crisis about ? After staying in a secret location for days , Lopez announced to Venezuelans , and the world , that after talking it over with his family , he would turn himself in . That announcement came via a YouTube video . At the square , Lopez used a megaphone . `` The options I had were leave the country , and I will never leave Venezuela ! '' he said to loud cheers and widespread applause as he stood on the statue of Jose Marti . Searching for truth in Venezuela . `` The other option was to remain in hiding , but that option could 've left doubt among some , including some who are here , and we do n't have anything to hide . '' What you need to know about Venezuela . Later that night , his wife , Lilian Tintori , told CNN that Lopez was in good spirits behind bars . `` The last thing he told me was do n't forget why this is happening , do n't forget why he 's going to jail . He 's asking for the liberation of political prisoners and students and an end to repression and violence , '' Tintori said . Lopez , a fiery speaker and charismatic leader , has long been a threat to the socialists in power in Venezuela . Back in 2008 , the government of then-President Hugo Chavez banned him from running for public office , accusing him of corruption and misuse of public funds . Lopez countered that it was all political retribution and that he had nothing to hide . He took his case all the way to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights , where he was cleared three years later . Political roots . Politics runs in Lopez 's veins . He 's the great-great-grandson of Venezuela 's first President and he also claims to be a descendant of Simon Bolivar , the South American liberator who , ironically , is revered by socialists in power , including Maduro . Lopez was elected mayor of Chacao when he was only 29 years old and was reelected with 81 % of the vote four years later . After being cleared of all corruption charges in September 2011 , he launched his presidential candidacy . In January of the following year , he chose to forge an alliance to unify the opposition , instead of running . He threw his support behind Henrique Capriles , another popular opposition leader , who narrowly lost to Chavez in October 2012 . Lopez comes from a well-to-do family in Venezuela . He attended The Hun School of Princeton , a private boarding school , and graduated in 1989 . He then attended Kenyon College in Ohio , where he graduated with honors , receiving a degree in sociology . Lopez completed his education at Harvard University 's School of Government and earned a master 's degree . Upon his return to Venezuela , he worked as an economic consultant and an economics professor at the Universidad Catolica Andres Bello , before jumping into politics in 1999 . A magnetic personality . HLN Anchor Susan Hendricks , a close friend of Lopez 's in high school , says the opposition leader had the kind of personality that drew people to him . `` He was a hit with the ladies , but he would n't even know ( it ) , '' Hendricks said . `` He was very modest . '' Hendricks says her heart broke when she learned he was in custody , but she is not surprised that he turned himself in . `` I 've been tweeting and texting with people that are very good friends with him up until this day , have spoken with him about a month ago , and he said , ' I will not leave Venezuela , ' `` Hendricks said . In a late-night hearing Wednesday , Venezuelan prosecutors formally charged Lopez with arson and conspiracy but dropped more serious charges of murder and terrorism . Conspiracy charges in Venezuela are punishable by up to 10 years in prison . Now the good-looking , easygoing star student is in jail at the military complex known as Ramo Verde in the municipality of Los Teques , Miranda state . Lopez 's future seems uncertain at best . But family members say they 're standing behind his decision to turn himself in . `` Manuela , my daughter , who 's 4 years old , asked me about it , '' said Tintori , Lopez 's wife . `` I told her , 'Manuela , he 's working for Venezuela . ' Because Leopoldo , wherever he is , in jail tonight , he 's going to be working for us and thinking of us . He 's going to keep on dreaming about a better Venezuela , as he always does . ''
Leopoldo Lopez has long been a threat to socialists in Venezuela . In 2008 , President Hugo Chavez 's government banned him from seeking public office . Lopez turned him in this week after the government accused of him terrorism , murder . Prosecutors formally charged him with arson and conspiracy ; dropped more serious charges .