The Nicaraguan government released 135 political prisoners on Thursday, according to a statement released by the White House, which said that among those freed were 13 members of the Texas-based Mountain Gateway organization, along with Catholic laypeople, students and others “whom Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo consider a threat to their authoritarian regime.”
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the release was thanks to the efforts of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The released prisoners were welcomed by Guatemala and will have the opportunity to travel to the United States or other countries under the protection of immigration programs.
“The United States appreciates the leadership and generosity of the Government of Guatemala in graciously accepting these Nicaraguan citizens. Once in Guatemala, these individuals will be offered the opportunity to apply for legal ways to rebuild their lives in the United States or other countries through President Biden’s Office of Safe Mobility initiative,” Sullivan said.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that the release was done “for humanitarian reasons” and that each of them arrived in Guatemala voluntarily.
“Nicaraguan authorities unjustly detained these individuals for exercising their fundamental freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and religion or belief. All of them must now face the tremendous challenge of establishing their lives in a new country,” Blinken said in a written statement.
The top U.S. diplomat urged the Ortega government to “immediately and unconditionally” release any other political prisoners in Nicaragua, saying they “continue to violate human rights and repress legitimate dissent.”
This comes days after the publication of a UN report highlighting ongoing human rights violations and harassment of dissidents in the Central American country.
The list of the rest of the ex-prisoners released is currently unknown.
Daniel Ortega’s government has not yet commented on Thursday’s releases.
Human rights organizations counted more than 100 political prisoners, including journalists, activists and human rights defenders.
Guatemala welcomes former prisoners
Following the release of the opposition, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo posted a message on social media network X in which he said that the Central American country he governs “shows its firm democratic conviction, which rejects threats of authoritarian regression.”
“Today we reaffirm this commitment and return the international solidarity that we have received so many times, welcoming 135 Nicaraguan brothers, freed political prisoners,” wrote Arévalo.
“Only in freedom, democracy, life and humanity flourish. Welcome, Nicaraguan brothers!” said Arévalo.
Nicaragua has been experiencing a social and political crisis since 2018, when protests against President Daniel Ortega erupted, which the president described as an alleged coup attempt.
Since then, Ortega has arrested thousands of protesters, opponents, priests, journalists and human rights activists.
In February 2023, Ortega released 222 more political prisoners, including former presidential candidates, who were welcomed by Washington.
Subsequently, the Sandinista leader who has governed Nicaragua since 2007 stripped the 222 opponents of their nationality.
As opposition figures are released from prison, the government is resuming mass arrests of its critics. Human rights groups have dubbed this move “the revolving door.”
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