Antonio Ledezma

Antonio Ledezma (101728)

Antonio Ledezma (born May 1, 1955) is a Venezuelan politician and lawyer. He served as the Mayor of Caracas from 2008 until his arrest in 2015. Ledezma is a prominent figure in the Venezuelan opposition and has been a vocal critic of the Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro administrations.

Early Life and Education

Antonio Ledezma was born in San Juan de los Morros, Guárico, Venezuela. He studied law at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), where he became involved in student politics.

Political Career

Ledezma began his political career as a member of the Democratic Action party. He was elected to the Venezuelan Chamber of Deputies in 1984 and later served as the Governor of the Federal District from 1992 to 1993.

Mayor of Caracas

In 2008, Ledezma was elected as the Mayor of Caracas, defeating the incumbent candidate from the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). During his tenure, he focused on improving public services and infrastructure in the city. However, his administration faced significant challenges due to political tensions with the national government.

Arrest and Imprisonment

In February 2015, Ledezma was arrested by the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN) on charges of conspiracy and plotting to overthrow the government. His arrest was widely condemned by international human rights organizations and foreign governments. Ledezma was placed under house arrest but managed to escape in November 2017, fleeing to Colombia and later to Spain.

Exile and Continued Activism

Since his escape, Ledezma has continued to advocate for democratic reforms in Venezuela from abroad. He has been an active participant in the Venezuelan opposition coalition and has called for international support to address the political and humanitarian crisis in the country.

Personal Life

Antonio Ledezma is married and has children. He remains a significant figure in Venezuelan politics and continues to work towards the restoration of democracy in his homeland.

See Also

• Venezuelan Crisis
• Venezuelan Opposition
• Human Rights in Venezuela
• List of Mayors of Caracas