Trump calls for Venezuela to release political prisoner ‘immediately’

President Trump called Wednesday evening for Venezuela to release political prisoner Leopoldo Lopez “immediately.”
The president posted a photo of himself on Twitter with Lopez’s wife, Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a former rival of the president’s during the Republican primaries.
“Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately,” the president tweeted.
Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately. pic.twitter.com/bt8Xhdo7al
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017
The Twitter account for Rubio’s press shop also tweeted out a photo of the Florida senator with Lilian Tintori, the political prisoner’s wife.
Lopez, a 45-year-old U.S.-educated economist and opposition leader, was accused of inciting violence at anti-government protests in 2014 and is serving a 14-year prison sentence.
Honored to meet @liliantintori & Mitzy Ledezma to discuss #humanrights in #Venezuela. All political prisoners must be released #FreeLeopoldo pic.twitter.com/xCw60yjDbI
— Senator Rubio Press (@SenRubioPress) February 14, 2017
The president was scheduled to have dinner at the White House Wednesday with Rubio and his wife. Rubio said the president invited him for what he expects will be a “mostly social” meeting, according to CNN.
“Obviously, we got to know each other a little bit over the last year and a half on the campaign trail. I don’t know when it was scheduled — a while back,” he said. “We’re grateful to them.”
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