Venezuela's unrest had long been simmering due to an increasing scarcity of basic goods, soaring inflation and deteriorating physical security throughout the country. But the current wave of protests truly gained traction on Feb. 12 when far-right opposition group Voluntad Popular attracted hundreds of thousands of people to the street, marking a significant escalation in the protests. The government responded forcefully, issuing an arrest warrant for Voluntad Popular co-founder Leopoldo Lopez and deploying security forces to contain unrest. Lopez turned himself in Feb. 18 and remains in custody. His political ally and partner, former National Assembly Deputy Maria Corina Machado, has remained free, though she was ousted recently from her legislative seat by National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello after traveling abroad with a Panamanian delegation to seek support for the opposition from the Organization of American States.