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Nicaragua Releases 135 Political Prisoners on Humanitarian Grounds

US secures the release of 135 Nicaraguan political prisoners

Following negotiations with the Nicaraguan government, the United States successfully obtained the release of several political prisoners on Thursday. The White House announced Nicaragua would release 135 prisoners, all Nicaraguan citizens, from jail on humanitarian grounds.

Reuters

Nicaragua has deported the political prisoners to Guatemala before they may travel to the US or other countries. President Daniel Ortega's government has since 2018 increasingly cracked down on the opposition and exiled many opposition members.

US News & World Report

The Nicaraguan government has shut down over 5K NGOs, private universities, and civil society organizations. The government has unlawfully detained priests and pastors, sometimes hauling them away during Mass.

BBC News

Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor, stated that it is unacceptable to imprison anyone for peacefully enjoying their basic rights of free expression, association, and religion. Among the released political prisoners were 13 individuals from Mountain Gateway, a religious charity in Texas, as well as Catholic laypeople, students, and others.

Los Angeles Times

According to the US State Department, the Nicaraguan government released the prisoners without receiving anything in return, and the negotiations did not affect US policy toward President Daniel Ortega.

Daniel Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla leader who fought US-backed forces, regained power in 2007, initially perceived as moderate. However, he has since abolished presidential term limits, consolidated power over all government institutions, and suppressed the Catholic Church and NGOs.

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Prisoner release in Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Freedom & human rights

Civil liberties

Governance

There is 29% chance Nicaragua will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to Metaculus prediction community.

Prisoner release in Nicaragua

Prisoner release in Nicaragua

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