In 2013 David Smolansky became the country's youngest mayor when he was elected to run a district of Caracas called El Hatillo. He's a founding member of the Popular Will party which is often at loggerheads with the government of  President Nicholas Maduro. When violent protests broke out he was accused of failing to prevent them. David fled, embarking on an epic 1200km escape to Brazil.



Image: Hatillo's Mayor David Smolansky speaking at a rally

Credit: FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images

In 2013 David Smolansky became the country's youngest mayor when he was elected to run a district of Caracas called El Hatillo. He's a founding member of the Popular Will party which is often at loggerheads with the government of President Nicholas Maduro. When violent protests broke out he was accused of failing to prevent them. David fled, embarking on an epic 1200km escape to Brazil. Image: Hatillo's Mayor David Smolansky speaking at a rally Credit: FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images

Venezuelan Mayor Who Went on The Run

<p>Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. 
 
Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. 
 
Our guests come from every corner of the globe: from Burundi to Beverly Hills, New Zealand to North Korea, Rajasthan to Rio. And their stories can be about anything: tales of survival, humour, resilience and intrigue. From the mind-blowing account of the Japanese man trapped in his own reality TV show, to the Swedish women rescued from lions by a tin of spam. It’s life’s wild side, in stereo. </p><p>Lives Less Ordinary is brought to you by the team behind Outlook, the home of true life storytelling on BBC World Service radio for nearly 60 years.
 
Got a story to tell? Send an email to liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or message us via WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784
 
You can read our privacy notice here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5YD3hBqmw26B8WMHt6GkQxG/lives-less-ordinary-privacy-notice</p>

Society & Culture

Documentary

Personal Journals

Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. Our guests come from every corner of the globe: from Burundi to Beverly Hills, New Zealand to North Korea, Rajasthan to Rio. And their stories can be about anything: tales of survival, humour, resilience and intrigue. From the mind-blowing account of the Japanese man trapped in his own reality TV show, to the Swedish women rescued from lions by a tin of spam. It’s life’s wild side, in stereo. Lives Less Ordinary is brought to you by the team behind Outlook, the home of true life storytelling on BBC World Service radio for nearly 60 years. Got a story to tell? Send an email to liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or message us via WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784 You can read our privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5YD3hBqmw26B8WMHt6GkQxG/lives-less-ordinary-privacy-notice

Share Venezuelan Mayor Who Went on The Run

Sign up to save your podcasts

Venezuelan Mayor Who Went on The Run

Venezuelan Mayor Who Went on The Run

More shows like Lives Less Ordinary

Global News Podcast

From Our Own Correspondent

Newshour

Woman's Hour

In Our Time

The Documentary Podcast

Witness History

The History Hour

6 Minute English

Learning English Conversations

Desert Island Discs

The Food Chain

File on 4 Investigates

The Inquiry

The Audio Long Read

People Fixing the World

You're Dead to Me

The Missing Cryptoqueen

The Slow Newscast

The Bomb

Life Changing

The History Podcast

Strangers on a Bench