Ex-candidate freed in prisoner release

Venezuela on Thursday began releasing a "large number" of political prisoners, including several foreigners, in an apparent concession to the US after its ouster of ruler Nicolas Maduro.

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Former presidential candidate Enrique Marquez, right, embraces his wife after his release in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday.

(AFP)

The releases are the first since Mr Maduro's former deputy Delcy Rodriguez took over, with the backing of President Donald Trump, who says he is content to let her govern as long as she gives Washington access to oil.

Former Venezuelan opposition candidate Enrique Marquez - who opposed Mr Maduro in the contested 2024 presidential election - was among those released Thursday.

"It's all over now," Mr Marquez said in a video taken by a local journalist of him and his wife, accompanied by another released opposition member Biagio Pilieri.