How to Defend Democracy - and Fight Autocracy | Leopoldo Lopez | TED

[@pds4408]

I used to live where he was major. I saw him training with the police. He ran that place like a clock. I 100% believe in him. Nobody told me, I SAW it with my own very eyes. While the country was falling apart, he stood on his own two feet and took care of us.

[@ShinbrigTV]

As a Venezuelan and living back there in 2011-2013 when Chavez passed away; I cannot tell you how important it is for people to LISTEN to this!!

[@daniel7ven25]

Most important lesson, it’s a very necessary to everybody see this. Inspiring us to start out fight in Africans countries. To change that system, because we are living inside the jail, even known that we are in our country. Stop autocratic, and long live for democracy.

[@PolarizedxD]

American here seeing the degradation of democracy across the world and the lack of care in America is tough

[@alexsbarricades8218]

This talk came at the perfect time. From my experience, not only is authoritarianism on the rise these days, I'm seeing more and more people in the freedom movements I'm in start to reject democracy and it's been a demoralising experience. Now we need people like you more than ever. Thank you Leopoldo! Sincerely, a young woman from Hong Kong

[@younghoganwang]

his mentioning of the berlin wall got me looking up his age, he's 53 years old, born in 1971, still in such a good shape and so well spoken

[@ninag3068]

As a venezuelan, this is about to be a very divided comment section. Some people think of him as a hero because he went to prison and was persecuted politically only due to being the opposition of Chavez and Maduro's regime. Other people think he arranged and made deals with the venezuelan government to turn himself in and make a whole spectacle about it and then later moved to Madrid, Spain where he now lives in a luxurious neighborhood. I don't think anybody but him knows the truth because whatever he chose to do, I think if even in the beginning, was well intended and he wanted to save our country but Venezuela's worst and greatest thing is their own people. People cared more about making memes about this man and how ripped he was getting in jail than fighting for truth, democracy and justice. In a country that is so obsessed with beautiful women, miss universe, long weekends, hanging out, beer and beaches, and any political victory at all that is achieved is quickly allowed to be stolen what is one man supposed to do? How is one man (with a family of his own) supposed to sacrifice his whole life for a country with people that protest for a week and then everything goes back to normal. If you're not actively fighting to save the country yourself, you should probably hold out on any judgments of this man. I believe that he thought that the country would back him and we didn't. Venezuela is lost and will never be what it once was and it is not this man's fault.

[@datagonia]

The thing is that he wasn't just "one man", he and his placeholder (Guaidó) had all possible support from other governments and the majority of Venezuelans. But as usual, the venezuelan opposition failed the people and made sure that the tyranny remains in power. They betrayed us, time and time again, and you expect us to spill our blood for them after they all end up in the same place? He turned himself in, he negotiated his freedom, he left Venezuela.

[@IINoirII]

Same as Navalny in russia - he funded his pres electoral campaign, his own anti-corruption fund and sent his daughter to study in uni in San Francisco - all on money that he claimed he received from usual people's donations and "interested private companies" that he never disclosed. There should be no such thing as "peaceful protest" against autocracy in countries with no opposition - only coup.

[@Kat_cath]

Así es. el solo fue una víctima más y listo. Todos hemos intentado hacer algo por el país y hasta ahora nadie ha podido contra el poder político (alto mando militar)

[@daalfonso]

Clavado. La mayoría de argentinos somos similares. Aún tenemos la gracia de poder utilizar las urnas cuando queremos decir algo más que sólo quejarnos mientras tomamos un matecito sentados cómodos frente a la TV; pero aún así no es suficiente, a veces, porque requiere mucho más que lo simplemente establecido.... debe ser un movimiento continuo, que no pare, que no se enfríe, que se traspase la voz entre generaciones. Y que la historia no se olvide. Empieza por uno mismo, debe haber un ruido interno que nos lleve a buscar algo que nos supera llevar adelante pero que no es posible siquiera si un solo eslabón se pierde. Pensé que su charla iba a ser estrictamente política pero llegué apreciar su belleza; y que incluso en prisión se puede salvar una vida :)

[@wrestler91100]

It's so similar with us. I am from Russia, and we had an opposition Aleksey Navalniy. When he was free, there were a lot of people saying that he made a deal with government to do this and to do that and so on. But then he was poisoned, survived, then arrested and finally killed in prison. Now nobody say that he made any deal with government, but we lost him forever. People are stupid or spoiled so much, that they can't think that there are people, who really care about someone except themselves.

[@LauraMarcano-vu4wl]

Es admirable tu valentía, te admiro, confío en tí como líder no dejaremos la lucha por nuestra democracia, espero que a través de tus palabras puedan escuchar el clamor que estamos pasando los Venezolanos aquí y en el mundo entero. ¡Vamos que viva la democracia! 🇻🇪 💪🧡

[@iraisjimenez8287]

Bravo Leopoldo! Lider eres nuestra voz en el mundo, que nuestra lucha por la libertad y la democracia, sea visible en cada rincón del mundo. Basta de normalizar una brutal dictadura . como país este año marcamos un récord de organización democrática en las elecciones del 28 de julio. Confio en que pronto seremos libres para reconstruir la mejor Venezuela. Que viva Venezuela 🇻🇪 libre! Si se puede carajo! Dios con nosotros 🙏

[@elizabethespana1085]

Tenemos que apoyar la democracia y todos los movimientos de libertad. Venezuela lo necesita. El mundo debe leer y escuchar estás palabras de Leopoldo y ayudar a Venezuela. 🆘 🆘... Necesitamos empatía y solidaridad para la libertad y la democracia.

[@AndreinaAleman-t7o]

Thank you for being our voice, long live free Venezuela.

[@ingriddelvallecarogarcia3839]

Es muy clara la enseñanza viva la democracia y libertad Al principio no creía mucho en su ideología hoy en día La defiendo por qué es la verdad Mi admiración y respeto

[@hectormontilla2297]

Fight, Fight, Fight, for Democracy around the world.

[@humbertogalvis1269]

Excellent and inspiring speech, dear Leopoldo. From Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela, I wish you the best acting as General Secretary in the World Liberty Council @worldlibertycongress on behalf of the global pupulation living under autocratic regimes such as the hegemonic authoritarianism in Venezuela ¡Fuerza y fe!

[@aracelysquevedo]

Que nada nos detenga, confiamos en la mejor Venezuela, pronto la tendremos, adelante Leopoldo, seguimos en pie de lucha

[@michimarm]

Leopoldo, te admiro, cuando cada uno de nosotros pone su granito de arena, se hace posible la unión, lo vamos a lograr!!!

[@Ben738-p4t]

Democracy is the voice of the many and autocracy is the voice of the few. If people can unite globally the voice of democracy will drown the voice of autocracy.

[@nadavharel9071]

@@Ben738-p4t autocracy is not a voice of no one, but those dictators who control those countries

[@Ren-1979]

Exactly! 💯 The problem is how to bring them together. Everyone is afraid to take the first step. Look what happened to Navalni, for example. RIP 🙏

[@artemaung5274]

Unfortunately unless something happens, it looks like democracy is being brought down everywhere. We're failing and every year democracy scores fall worldwide bringing world more and more authoritarian. The only way to save it is by creating something stronger, something that can overcome our divide, something that can unite us. But currently AI algorithms on social media divide us and make truth and fact irrelevant. Dictators use that for their own benefit. In other words we're still falling and it's far from hitting rock bottom. Fighting for freedom is getting more and more important every day.

[@ianrockwell5696]

It’s too soon for anything like this. The threat of autocracy is not a joke.

[@mikepollux]

Great job Leopoldo!!!… what a great initiative it is to get all freedom fighters together to face off a network of autocrats that are being very successful at taking over the world… thank you and thanks to the whole alliance of freedom and democracy fighters for opening our eyes…

[@cabdirisaaqbaraag3465]

We are all with the world freedom fighters.

[@bigtoepapa]

Add USA to the list

[@carmenoropeza2806]

Gracias líder por el trabajo arduo en favor de la democracia. Es necesario tomar la ofensiva y dejar de legitimar los autocratas. Seguimos creyendo que la mejor Venezuela es posible y que pronto volveremos a casa para juntos construirla.

[@jesusalfonzo3116]

Por error creemos que la tragedia de un Régimen nos consume pero no acabamos de entender que son muchos los países y los ciudadanos de diferentes latitudes que hoy sufren al estar viviendo en países donde la autocracia , la dictadura o regímenes hereditarios dirigen y deciden sobre el pueblo . Países que parecen estar abandonados a las mayores barbaries , hoy en día existen 77 países integrando los No Alineados y si bien es cierto su estandarte es ir contra Occidente , contra EEUU , eso es sola la carta de presentacion su intención es mantenerse en el poder a costa de todo y eso pasa por la gente que lideran . Iniciativas como las que lideriza Leopoldo de unir países que sufren la misma tragedia es aplaudirle , permita Dios y sea el instrumento de libertad de muchas naciones , en especial nuestra amada Venezuela

[@rocciosanchez8637]

Venezuela, América, El Caribe, España, la Unión Europea, África LIBRE/ 4 Pilares: Amor, Libertad, Armonía y Paz

[@mireyavasquez5754]

Bravo Leopoldo sigo confiando en la mejor Venezuela, se que pronto estarás en nuestro país dando un discurso como ese, será necesario cuando recuperemos la Democracia 🙏

[@omarvelasco529]

Vivir en democracia con libertad y respeto a los derechos humanos de los ciudadanos sin ningún tipo de discriminación es un deber de todos los países civilizados.

[@airlyncamejo408]

"Tiene que haber un apoyo a favor de la democracia y los movimientos de libertad " Ojalá escuchen las palabras de Leopoldo y ayuden a Venezuela.

[@MiguelVeliz2013]

El mundo entero debería escuchar estas clarificadoras palabras del Leopoldo López, acerca de Venezuela. Queremos una Venezuela Libre.

[@AaronOkeanos]

Autocrats work together? Yes they do. But it's a temporary and a brittle alliance of convenience. The moment they get an opportunity they try to overtake each other or at least take advantage of each other.

[@virginia456us]

It reminds me of gaming strategy, teaming up then turning on one another. Hunger Games?

[@elizabethespana1085]

Palabras de un líder grandioso, así como cada uno de los que estamos en Venezuela y gritamos libertad y justicia, Mucha ha sido la lucha del hombre por su libertad y dignidad. No cierren sus oídos a la súplica 🆘🆘🆘⛑️⛑️⛑️ ayuda. Hoy nosotros, pero no en vano muchos países han necesitado el apoyo del mundo para consolidar sus sueños. Venezuela voto por amor y para ser libre. Libertad para Venezuela 🇻🇪

[@teresacampos5147]

❤Mi líder, alzando la voz por todos los que no podemos. Bravo sigamos adelante por la Democracia.

[@MarisolHernandez-i9l]

La idea d crear redes d apoyo para la Libertad y la Democracia es poderosa,por que nos recuerda q todos podemos aportar desde donde estemos,incluso quienes no estamos en nuestro Pais.T Felicito Leopoldo

[@EngelynAlvarez]

Necesitamos tener confianza, siento que lo más difícil lo hicimos y confío en que TODOS a nivel internacional nos van ayudar y lo vamos a lograr, Libertad y Democracia yo creo en la mejor Venezuela Leopoldo siempre nos dijo visualizala y se que ya viene💪🏼🧡🇻🇪

[@barbarafigueroa2064]

Bravo Leopoldo! Ese es mi líder! Sigo confiando en La Mejor Venezuela. Sé que pronto estarás en nuestro país dando un discurso como este. Vamos a recuperar la democracia.

[@zoniasiemprealli7830]

Necesitamos más democracia en el mundo, los autócrata desde su comodidad hacen negocios con otros gobiernos y el pueblo pasando necesidades, libertad y una mejor Venezuela pronto.

[@rosamarino8106]

Nuestro querido Leopoldo alzando la voz por venezolanos ...la libertad de Venezuela y la democracia 🧡

[@virginia456us]

This reminds me of the biblical tower of Babel story, where there's an emphasis on "one" language and people. Empires are often created by the destruction of cultures, one over another, and it reminds me of autocracy. May we work towards equality and freedom for our all fellow human brothers and sisters.

[@kearlysrangel9363]

La Mejor Venezuela se construye en Libertad! Viva Venezuela Libre!

[@EdgarLares-k6n]

Así habla un líder, ejemplo de liderazgo con Formación, Fervor, Fuerza, Fe y Firmeza. Dios te bendiga a ti y a tu familia. Gracias mi Q*uerido H*ermano por tu mensaje: no defraudaremos a los Venezolanos.*1950MCML1950

[@MarisolHernandez-i9l]

Este es un problema GLOBAL y los pueblos necesitan de las ayudas de la Democracia.Especialmente de los Estados Unidos como dices tu Leopoldo,los gobiernos deben invertir en la Democracia,sale más barato q pagar el precio d estos regímenes

[@lisbethvega8378]

Excelente, pronto lograremos la mejor Venezuela que tanto anhelamos

[@carmencruzsalas5727]

Pronto estaras dando un discurso como este aquí en Venezuela.. ❤ Venezuela Libre.

[@LISBETH1202]

Sigue con esta lucha gracias por nunca abandonarla 🙏🏻

[@angellopezpiratasbbc]

Leopoldo Lopez es un excelente líder, lo demuestra los hechos, el ser el co fundador del World Liberty Congress, lo hace ser una figura que se enfoca en los más oprimidos o más afectados, es el gustarle la lucha social, es gustarle la esencia de la política en especial la de partidos, muy bien enfocado, Dios le siga dando esa bendición, la de tener el don de luchador, Felicitaciones!

[@alfonsozambrano-cf7fr]

I support to Leopoldo in his fight for the democracy

[@G1an_official]

This man is a hero for my country

[@ManuelMora-uf9qh]

Este régimen no es reconocido por no mostrar las actas a perdido y es necesario que el mundo se exprese a favor de la democracia, gracias a todos los y las valientes que luchamos por una nueva Venezuela viva la libertad viva Venezuela si se puede

[@Nenkov31]

First we have to think a way how to separate the Burocracy from Democracy and only after that will be a point. In today's democracy it's only dehumanising what we do 😢

[@theronwatson3155]

And eliminate the nepotism and corruption from the bureaucracy

[@pusya-u5l]

What an incredible person! I have goosebumps, many words hit the nail on the head🔥

[@isabelcordero1470]

Gracias líder por tu entrega y trabajo

[@hectormontilla2297]

Autocracies is a great risk for freedom in the world. Thanks lesder Leopoldo for warning the world of this danger.

[@carloscamperos4839]

👏 BRAVO

[@madambluewave]

We are going to definitely learn a thing or two from this, considering the position the United States is now in. But those of us that love democracy are not going down a without a fight.

[@dayvilchiquinquirazambrano3077]

Excelente Hermano… Fuerza y Fe…

[@AnabelLópez-k4h]

Tomar la ofensiva, no legitimar a los autócratas🇻🇪

[@Usercmz]

Leopoldo vamos con fuerza y fe. X Venezuela

[@anakarinadecaruci933]

Leader, always intelligent. ❤ God bless you. I support you. Suggestion: add subtitles so that those who do not understand English know what it is saying.

[@anakarinadecaruci933]

Líder, siempre inteligente. ❤ Dios te bendiga. Yo te apoyo. Sugerencia: agregue subtítulos para que aquellos que no entienden inglés sepan lo que dice.

[@virginiadegomez7763]

Admirable siempre allí para el país y por la causa real, la libertad de nuestro país. Bendiciones, eres un tremendo lider.

[@rocciosanchez8637]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Excelente Hermano

[@rocciosanchez8637]

¡ Que viva el RESPETO, la LIBERTAD, la PAZ, la DIGNIDAD, la VERDAD y la VIDA; en el MUNDO. Es el Camino

[@juniorvieco]

Apollo la democracia y a Leopoldo ya que su lucha es por Venezuela

[@MisterDreamOfficial]

Indonesia needs to watch this

[@EmigdioPrimera]

Bravo Leopoldo, Dios te bendiga! 🙏🏻

[@lovekunqu]

Finally, America faces it as well

[@Usercmz]

👍🙏

[@KevinVanGelder]

We don't have a democracy, we have a democratic republic, extremely important difference...

[@ianrockwell5696]

We have democratic institutions and norms. No one has ‘direct democracy’ and we all get that. Thats why you hear heads of state and the very learned short-hand it as ‘democracy’. I wish conservatives would stop trying to school the rest of us on this point.

[@jerishuntington7202]

America … Do Not Despair … We Will Be Free …

[@AwetZeray-i9f]

Wow wow concise , dictators they may take our live but never take our free dom ! Thanks bro

[@EduardoMunozSira]

Gracias Leopoldo, está vía es la mejor, aunque creo que un poco tarde, pero la creación de una red de defensores de las Democracias es una excelente idea

[@jesuslaya5434]

Seguiremos creciendo

[@helloenrique]

"Como defender la democracia y pelear contra la autocracia" hablado por una persona que falló en defender la democracia y perdió la pelea contra Chavez y Maduro, ambos autócratas

[@katiuscadelvallelugo5666]

Bravo 👏🏼

[@EdgarLares-k6n]

Venezuela; Venezolanos*: El miedo y la seguridad sólo depende de cada uno de nosotros, no de alguien otro conocido o desconocido, porque sólo necesitamos hacernos una única pregunta. Qué deseo para mis coterraneos, para mí familia, para mis vecinos, para mi padre, para mi madre, mis abuelos y abuelas, para mis hijas e hijos, para mis amigos y amigas, para MI ? Tu respuesta es la correcta y es la respuesta correcta de toda Venezuela*; la mía es la misma que hemos expresado todos sin distinción alguna en este humilde comentario: QUIERO Y QUEREMOS SER FELICES EN LIBERTAD Y NO COMPLACIDOS EN ESCLAVITUD; SER YO MISMO EN DEMOCRACIA Y NO ARRODILLADOS ANTE UN TIRANO MALTRATADOR; QUEREMOS CONVIVIR TODOS CON NUESTROS ERRORES Y NO CON DIABÓLICAS EJECUCIONES DE UN RÉGIMEN DE IGNORANCIA, SUPERSTICIÓN Y AMBICIONES MALVADAS DELICUENCIALES. VIVAS TÚ, VIVA VENEZUELA, VIVA MI FAMILIA Y YO*. LIBRES SIEMPRE HASTA EL FINAL. Elemejelem*. Qué así sea !!!

[@SectoresymovimientosCaraboboVP]

Ese es mi líder, carajo. Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua… ya basta de estos autócratas. Necesitamos más democracias y el mundo no puede mirar para otro lado.

[@user-bs3sf7wl2m]

I'm from Ukraine! Why Great America loses to autocratic countries! Is this the plan of the global economy? America is a country of leadership and freedom! Can Trump or Harris provide that leadership, we ask ourselves? What path is America on in the world now?🇺🇲🇺🇦🙏💫❤️

[@PolarizedxD]

Well the reality is Trump might signal n autocracy coming to America.

[@AdisseA]

А чому ми стаємо автократичною країною ви запитати не хочете?

[@PolarizedxD]

@@AdisseA I live here I know why.

[@nilianava190]

Escuchen la voz de la experiencia, no queremos mas paises sin democracia, donde se violan los derechos humanos sin escrúpulos, donde no hay estado de derecho... Nadie quiere vivir en estas circunstancias por eso tanta migración... Estamos en un mundo globalizado donde todo lo que sucede en un pais puede influir en los otros de una u otra manera.

[@MANUELPEREZ-b4l]

Muy bien Leopoldo, en la democracia encontramos principios y valores en la vida VP gremios Yaracuy.

[@valoriebroderick]

This guy is a hero.

[@chuchox2]

What for?

[@theronwatson3155]

Tonight, we will break the record high low temperature by 6 degrees in Baton Rouge, Time to act is Now

[@Dhsdiversehealthsolutions]

Thank you Leopold! Cubans, Venezuelan,should hear this clear speech!

[@AaronOkeanos]

There is a problem I think in countries with freedom we need to find a solution for. A lot of people cannot deal with too much choice (notice I not use the word freedom here but choice). They want to be guided, want to be told what to do how to behave. These people easily fall prey for autocratic voices. They need help, guidance, consulting, advice whatever and it would be good if that is not a fanatic, believer, cultist or autocrat but someone who guide them without trying to control them.

[@PonderDuke]

Yep and some people are not able to think clearly and don't know what's real and not real anymore. So education is needed so everyone learns to think for themselves and think logically. Ask the "why" question many times and reason with facts not assumptions. What is the incentive.

[@AaronOkeanos]

We need to stop funding autocracies because they are cheaper. Our greed and wish for low prices is powering autocracy. We create our own enemies and future problems like that. As so happened with Russia, as so happens with China and others. Total trade embargo with countries without freedoms would drain their influence and power base. Only trade with countries who maintain some standards of freedom. And if embargoes are too strong at least consider high tariffs (with rules of origin applied so noone can cheat). So manufacturing within freedom countries is encouraged.

[@virginia456us]

Yes. Greed and over-reliance on capitalism leading to good. 😞

[@felipemolina7910]

Saludos desde Yaracal

[@maximodiaz-estebanez4771]

Cierto hay que ser más proactivos en esta lucha

[@AntonioRojas-q4b]

Edmundo Ganó! Se viene la transición!

[@siriamorr7173]

No pueden tapar el solo con un dedo, pronto libres

[@johnpearce9023]

Freedom

[@mafe3735]

What.: that's a traitor.. the Venezuelan already realized who this guy is!

[@nadavharel9071]

Respect for this guy

[@Kat_cath]

UN GIGANTE, que por cierto te comprendo Lilian tintori 😅❤

[@AliAbdullah-dc1ud]

I'm sleeping ❤❤3pm

[@Windy3s]

🦅🦅🦅

[@TolaRat]

No rioting? Darn.

[@warp.9.scotty]

Well I guess it didn’t work did it?

[@FredericoFlosculo]

Thanks, Leopoldo! A rare act of courage for the best furure of ours democracies. The world cannot forgive dictatos, autocrats, crazy leaders.

[@ManuelRodriguez-qq3pn]

Leopoldo betrayed all Venezuelans, by making deals with the socialist government. He had the support of the whole country, but he only wanted his own benefit, How it’s he speaking about defending democracy? He is despised by all us Venezuelans. Don’t give him any platform. Shame!!!!!

[@PolarizedxD]

Im fairly certain the argument here is these charges are unfounded attacks by a dictator on his opponent.

[@MrMyvideo01]

Correcto

[@harrypearle9781]

DUMP TRUMP or TRUMP DUMPS US! Vote now, to support the first WOMAN President to enhance DEMOCRACY, now ================================================ tnx 4 great TED talk

[@Snake101Gaming]

No

[@peterhughes3648]

He's right, but this is only wishfull thinking. People as a whole are disinterested.

[@PulkitRana_1169]

PTE

[@opcomment]

A little late