In September 2015, Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López was sentenced to 14 years in jail after he was found guilty of stirring up violence during the country’s 2014 protests. While some accused him of being involved in coups against the government, others say he is scapegoat for President Nicolás Maduro. Mana’s Fher Olvera and The New York Times‘ editorial board have both sided against Maduro in this case.
And now joining them is Chilean legislator Jorge Tarud, who felt compelled to speak out after learning of López’s wife’s demeaning experience when visiting the Ramo Verde prison, according to El Dínamo. Lilian Tintori took to Twitter to share that she and her mother-in-law were forced to get naked in front of her children before being allowed to see Lòpez.
Less than 10 minutes later, Tarud went in on Maduro on Twitter. “You’re a piece of shit, a fascist who abuses women,” he said. “I date you to come to Chile…coward!”
Since then, Tarud has been retweeting those who have thanked him for speaking out. But he has also been met with criticism for choosing to deliver his message to Maduro through a tweet.