CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) 鈥� Venezuelan politician Enrique M谩rquez, who spent more than a year in prison after challenging the , on Friday called on the country’s political opposition and the ruling party to take advantage of the circumstances forced by the ouster of former President Nicol谩s Maduro and work together for the country’s recovery.
M谩rquez’s plea to 鈥渓ock up egos in a drawer鈥� followed his surprise appearance during earlier this week. M谩rquez was released from prison in the days after the in Venezuela鈥檚 capital and took him to New York to face drug trafficking charges.
鈥淲e have been killing each other in a relentless political war,鈥� M谩rquez said during a news conference that at times seemed like the kick-off of a campaign. 鈥淚f we don鈥檛 break the rearview mirror and look ahead, we won鈥檛 find our way.鈥�
M谩rquez ran for president in the 2024 contest, where the ruling party-loyal National Electoral Council despite ample credible evidence that he had lost to opposition candidate Edmundo Gonz谩lez. M谩rquez challenged the council鈥檚 decision, asking the country鈥檚 high court to nullify the results it presented.
M谩rquez, a former member of the National Electoral Council, was detained in January 2025. He told reporters Friday that he spent his first seven days in detention handcuffed and was interrogated around the clock. He remained incommunicado for 10 months, three of which he was kept from getting sunlight.
Authorities detained him on charges of terrorism, hatred and treason. He said he never faced trial for the trumped up charges, eventually receiving amnesty after acting President Delcy Rodr铆guez earlier this month .
Rodr铆guez was following Maduro鈥檚 capture on Jan. 3. M谩rquez lauded her decision to push for an amnesty law and an since assuming her new role. He also acknowledged he has not spoken with opposition leader Mar铆a Corina Machado since he was released from a prison were human rights watchdogs have extensively documented torture and other abuses against detainees.
He sidestepped questions over whether he would run for president again but said he does not see an election taking place soon.
鈥淢y intention is to become a unifying force,鈥� he said of potentially being a bridge between the opposition and the ruling party. 鈥淭he role I want to play, and hope to be able to play, is that of a builder, helping to build the future.鈥�
___
Follow AP鈥檚 coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
