From the wee hours, the National Guard blocked all access to Municipio Libertador, barring any chance that the march could reach the Ministry of Justice.

Heavy riot police and military contained the rally to Francisco de Miranda Avenue at El Rosal. Under the metallic noon-day sun of Caracas, blocks filled up with thousands of expectant protesters in white.

We had people – a lot of people – but there was no sound system, no tarima, none of the normal paraphernalia of a major oppo event. A tense calm dominated. Everyone wondered what was next: violence? confrontation?

Leopoldo showed up unannounced, on a motorcycle. He walked several blocks among the throng of people, sweating, pushing, cheering.

I was told he stood on top of a statue, gave a speech into a megaphone, hugged his wife, and gave himself up to the military personnel. 95% of the people at the rally…