Leopoldo is a freedom activist from Venezuela and the co-founder of the World Liberty Congress, an organization that supports democratic movements worldwide with hundreds of network members.
Leopoldo was the mayor of Municipality of Chacao from 2000 to 2008 and an outspoken critic of the Chavismo government. He advocated for political and economic reform including greater democracy, human rights and market-oriented economic policy. In 2014, he was arrested, imprisoned and charged with incitement to violence, arson and conspiracy related to his involvement in anti-government protests. His arrest drew international attention and condemnation from human rights organizations and various governments. In 2017, he was awarded the The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, an honorary award for individuals or groups who have dedicated their lives to the defense of human rights and freedom of thought. He fled Venezuela in 2020 and found asylum in Spain, where he continues to live with his family.
Leopoldo is the author of two books, Venezuela Energética: Propuesta para el bienestar y progreso de los venezolanos, and Preso pero Libre: Notas desde la cárcel del líder venezolano. He attended the Colegio Los Arcos, studied economics at Kenyon College in Ohio, and furthered his studies in public policy at Harvard University.
