Venezuela opposition members freed in prisoner release

Two prominent members of Venezuela’s political opposition were freed on Thursday in a significant prisoner release, local rights group Foro Penal confirmed, with videos shared by Venezuelan journalists showing the moment they walked free.

Enrique Marquez, 62, a well‑known politician who had publicly backed opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the true winner of the disputed 2024 presidential election, was among those released. Marquez had been detained in connection with his political activities and criticism of the government.

Also freed was Biagio Pilieri, a leader of an opposition party and a sitting lawmaker who had been an outspoken critic of the government’s policies and treatment of dissenters. Pilieri’s detention drew international attention due to his high profile within the opposition movement.

The release comes amid broader moves by Venezuelan authorities to free a number of political detainees, a step that human rights advocates have cautiously welcomed while noting that many more remain behind bars. Videos circulating on social media showed emotional reunions between released prisoners and their families, highlighting the human impact of the ongoing political tensions in the country.

Foro Penal, which tracks political imprisonment in Venezuela, said the releases were part of a wider effort that included other political figures and activists, though the total number of those freed has yet to be confirmed. Critics of the government have urged that the move be followed by broader reforms and additional releases to address long‑standing concerns about political repression in Venezuela.

-Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Jacqueline Wong/Reuters