US releases Venezuelan activist seeking asylum in Miami

MIAMI – U.S. immigration authorities have released a Venezuelan opposition activist who was detained a day earlier as he waited to attend a hearing on his request for political asylum.

The abrupt detention of Marco Coello in Miami drew protests from Venezuelans in the U.S. and questions from Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

Immigration attorney Elizabeth Blandon confirmed that Coello was released Thursday.

Coello was among hundreds of people arrested in Venezuela during protests in 2014 against the government of President Nicolas Maduro. He fled to Miami to avoid imprisonment on charges of inciting violence.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said he was detained in the U.S. because he overstayed his visa and had a misdemeanour conviction. His lawyer said she did not know of any conviction and ICE did not provide details.