Arya News - Enrique Marquez was freed during a prison release last month.
( NewsNation ) — Venezuelan politician Enrique Marquez surprised his niece at President Trump’s State of the Union address.
“We brought him over to celebrate his freedom with you in person,” Trump said, acknowledging Marquez after spotlighting his niece, Alejandra Gonzalez.
Marquez was freed during a prison release last month alongside Biagio Pilieri, an opposition party leader and lawmaker who had been critical of the government.
Trump claims US ‘transformation’ in second term at State of the Union
The 62-year-old had supported opposing candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the victor in the 2024 presidential elections in Venezuela against former president Nicolas Maduro .
“After Enrique ran for office and opposed Maduro, he was kidnapped by Maduro’s security forces and thrown into the regime’s really infamous prison in Caracas,” Trump added. “Alejandra feared she would never see her uncle again. She feared for her own life also.”
Trump noted the U.S. is working closely with new Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodriguez to unleash economic gains for both countries. Earlier in his remarks, Trump announced the U.S. had received over 80 million barrels of oil from the nation as part of the partnership.
Venezuela had faced U.S. sanctions on its oil for several years and relied on a shadow fleet of ly flagged tankers to smuggle crude into global supply chains.
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