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The United States has secured the release of 135 political prisoners from Nicaragua.
What’s the deal: According to the United States, the release of 135 political prisoners from Nicaragua included students and members of the Texas-based evangelical group Mountain Gateway. The political prisoners were transferred to Guatemala, with the option to relocate to the US for safety.
Why were they arrested: The 135 political prisoners were arrested in a broader crackdown by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s regime, targeting dissent since 2018. They include students, activists, and religious members who were detained for peacefully protesting Ortega’s rule. The crackdown began with protests against social security reforms, which escalated into demands for political freedom. The government declared the demonstrations illegal and rolled out the military, which led to hundreds of deaths. Various human rights groups and the United Nations have claimed that the prisoners faced fabricated charges.
Digging Deeper: In the years since the widespread protests, Ortega’s regime has continued imprisoning opposition figures, activists, journalists, and Catholic Church leaders, accusing them of committing treason.
US Comments: In a statement, US Secretary Antony Blinken said, “The United States secured the release of 135 political prisoners from Nicaragua. We thank President Bernardo Arévalo for welcoming them to Guatemala. Nicaraguans deserve democracy and freedom from persecution in their home country.”
