Venezuelan officials release 'proof of life' video of jailed opposition leader

Venezuelan authorities have issued a video claiming to show proof of life of jailed opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez.

In it he says the date and the month and appears to still be in prison.

The clip is an effort to quell speculation that Lopez had fallen gravely ill and been transferred to a military hospital.

His wife, Lilian Tintori, set up camp outside the clinic. Her social media posts suggest she was not being kept up-to-date with the situation.

Seguimos a las afueras del Hospital Militar junto a @LilianTintori@JoseOlivaresM y @JoseBritoRhttps://t.co/OsY9aAIcfU

— Carlos Paparoni (@CarlosPaparoni) May 4, 2017

However, US Senator Marco Rubio has posted multiple tweets claiming to have confirmation that Lopez is in fact ill.

I have confirmed @leopoldolopez has been taken to a military hospital in #Venezuela in very serious condition.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 4, 2017

Lopez has been incarcerated since February 2014 on charges of inciting anti-government violence that left 43 people dead.

Venezuela is in the throes of a deep economic and social crisis that has led to violent clashes between opposition protesters and government forces.

In an effort to calm the situation, President Nicolas Maduro has issued a decree beginning the process of creating a new constituent assembly.