Nicaragua Releases 135 Political Prisoners on Humanitarian Grounds
New York TimesAUG 20 2024
Following negotiations with the Nicaraguan government, the US successfully obtained the release of several political prisoners Thursday. The White House announced that Nicaragua had released 135 prisoners from jail on humanitarian grounds.
The prisoners have been sent to Guatemala. From there they may travel to the US or other countries. Nicaraguan Pres. Daniel Ortega's government has since 2018 increasingly cracked down on the opposition and exiled many opposition members.The prisoners have been sent to Guatemala. From there they may travel to the US or other countries.
The Nicaraguan government has also shut down over 5K NGOs, private universities, and civil society organizations. The government has detained priests and pastors, sometimes arresting them during Mass.Nicaraguan Pres. Daniel Ortega's government has since 2018 reportedly cracked down on its opposition and exiled many opposition members. The Nicaraguan government has also shut down over 5K NGOs, private universities, and civil society organizations. The government has detained priests and pastors, sometimes arresting them during Mass.
This was a diplomatic victory for the US. Ortega's arbitrary arrests and incarceration of members of the opposition and NGOs, and stripping dissidents of their nationality, must cease. No one should have to risk getting arrested for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights.
As long as the US continues to exercise its North American imperialism by meddling in Nicaragua's internal affairs, Nicaragua will do what it has to do to quell the forces that would do ill by its government. Nicaragua has a right to defend itself from those wishing to do it harm from inside or outside the country.