"Venezuela has released a large number of high-profile political prisoners, including several foreigners, in an apparent concession to the United States less than a week after its forces abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The releases on Thursday were the first since Maduro's former deputy Delcy Rodriguez took office as interim leader, with the backing of US President Donald Trump, who says he is content to let her govern as long as she gives Washington access to the country's oil."
"Former Venezuelan opposition candidate Enrique Marquez who opposed Maduro in the contested 2024 presidential election was among those released on Thursday. It's all over now, Marquez said in a video filmed by a local journalist of him and his wife, accompanied by another released opposition member, Biagio Pilieri. Delcy Rodriguez's brother, parliament speaker Jorge Rodriguez, said a large number of Venezuelan and foreign nationals were being immediately freed for the sake of peaceful coexistence."
"He did not say which prisoners would be released, nor how many or from where. Venezuelan rights NGO Foro Penal estimates more than 800 political prisoners are in the country's jails. Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado hailed the releases, saying in an audio message on social media: Injustice will not last forever and truth, although it be wounded, ends up finding its way."
Venezuela released a large number of high-profile political prisoners, including several foreign nationals, in what officials framed as a concession to the United States. The releases followed the installation of Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader with backing from US President Donald Trump. Former opposition candidate Enrique Marquez was among those freed and appeared in a video with his wife and fellow releasee Biagio Pilieri. Parliament speaker Jorge Rodriguez said prisoners were being freed for peaceful coexistence but provided no numbers or locations. Rights group Foro Penal estimates more than 800 political prisoners remain jailed. Spain confirmed that five Spanish citizens, including activist Rocio San Miguel, were freed. The White House credited President Trump with securing the releases.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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