A Venezuelan opposition chief not too long ago free of jail reunited with his niece Tuesday throughout the State of the Union address, as President Donald Trump touted the US military operation that removed President Nicolás Maduro.
In his speech, Trump drew consideration to Alejandra Gonzalez, who was in the viewers, saying she shared a particular bond with her uncle Enrique Márquez.
“Alejandra, I’m pleased to inform you that not only has your uncle been released, but he is here tonight,” Trump introduced, earlier than Enrique Márquez walked into the House chamber the place he embraced her as lawmakers applauded.
The heartwarming and shock reunion got here towards the backdrop of main political adjustments in Venezuela following Maduro’s ouster on January 3. Since then, the US has put strain on performing Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former deputy, to launch a whole bunch of political prisoners jailed throughout nearly three many years of authoritarian rule.
Márquez, a 2024 presidential candidate for a centrist social gathering, was amongst the first to stroll free final month. He had been held in the infamous El Helicode jail since his arrest in January 2025. He was accused of being concerned in an tried coup after he questioned Maduro’s victory in the election.
“Alejandra feared she would never see her uncle again,” Trump mentioned.
“Since the raid we have worked with the new leadership and they have ordered the closure of that vile prison and released hundreds of political prisoners already, with more to come.”
Trump, who largely centered on home points throughout his speech, referred to as Venezuela a “new friend,” and a “partner.”
Venezuela has launched greater than 400 political prisoners since the US dramatically eliminated Maduro, in response to the nation’s main human rights group Foro Penal.
Hundreds of political prisoners are nonetheless locked up, in response to human rights teams, and plenty of of these launched to this point have confronted restrictions and situations akin to journey bans, periodic court docket appearances and gag orders.
Last week, Venezuelan lawmakers passed a new bill granting amnesty to individuals who have been prosecuted or convicted for political causes, paving the means for a whole bunch extra releases.
After signing the regulation, Rodríguez described it as “an extraordinary door for Venezuela to reunite, for Venezuela to learn to coexist democratically and peacefully, for Venezuela to rid itself of hatred, of intolerance, let it open up to human rights.”
National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez mentioned Venezuelan authorities had acquired greater than 1,500 requests for amnesty by Saturday.
During his Washington address on Tuesday, Trump awarded US helicopter pilot Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover a Medal of Honor for his involvement in the operation to seize Maduro.