Protesting Venezuelan violinist may seek asylum in US

September 19, 2017 at 11:55 p.m. | Updated September 20, 2017 at 12:05 a.m.

by Associated Press

Venezuelan musician Wuilly Arteaga thanks the audience after playing the violin at the Alice Tully Hall in New York's Lincoln Center, Tuesday Sept. 19, 2017. Arteaga is a well-known face of protest against his country's socialist government. He told the Associated Press on Tuesday that if he finds a job in the U.S. he will probably seek asylum. (AP Photo/Claudia Torrens)
Venezuelan musician Wuilly Arteaga thanks the audience after playing the violin at the Alice Tully Hall in New York's Lincoln Center, Tuesday Sept. 19, 2017. Arteaga is a well-known face of protest against his country's socialist government. He told the Associated Press on Tuesday that if he finds a job in the U.S. he will probably seek asylum. (AP Photo/Claudia Torrens)

NEW YORK (AP) - A violinist who became the young face of anti-government protests in Venezuela may soon seek political asylum in the United States.

Wuilly Arteaga became well-known after he and his violin were dragged to the ground by security forces during a confrontation with protesters earlier this year. He was later jailed and denounced being abused in custody.

Now free, he performed Tuesday at Lincoln Center in New York at an event to draw attention to Venezuela's social drama.

The 23-year-old said his priority is to find work in the U.S. rather than request asylum. He said he doesn't feel safe returning to Venezuela because of death threats he's received on social media and by phone following his outspoken criticism of President Nicolas Maduro.

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