Two leading members of Venezuela's political opposition were freed in a prisoner release on Thursday (January 8), according to local rights group Foro Penal and videos shared by Venezuelan journalists.

Politician Enrique Marquez, 62, had backed opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the victor in the 2024 presidential elections. He was freed alongside Biagio Pilieri, an opposition party leader and lawmaker who had been critical of the government.

Video shared on social media showed the two hugging loved ones after their release.

The location was verified from the buildings and obelisk seen in the video which matched file and satellite imagery in northeast Caracas. The videos were filmed on January 8, according to a local rights group and were also uploaded on January 8.

U.S President Donald Trump said on Friday (January 9) that Venezuela was releasing a large number of political prisoners as a sign of "seeking peace", following last week's dramatic U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

CARACAS, VENEZUELA (JANUARY 8, 2026) (VLADIMIRVILLEGASTV VIA INSTAGRAM - No resales / no archive / news use only / must on-screen courtesy vladimirvillegastv via Instagram) (ORIGINALLY SHOT IN PORTRAIT)

1. VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION POLITICIAN ENRIQUE MARQUEZ HUGGING WOMAN AND LIFTING HER OFF GROUND / VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER AND LAWMAKER BIAGIO PILIERI HUGGING WOMAN

2. MARQUEZ HUGGING WOMAN / PILIERI HUGGING WOMAN

3. MARQUEZ AND PILIERI HUGGING MAN

4. MARQUEZ HUGGING WOMAN