U.S. Secures Release of 135 Nicaraguan Political Prisoners

The United States has facilitated the release of 135 political prisoners from Nicaragua, who are now in Guatemala and may seek to move to the U.S. or other countries. This follows months of U.S.-Nicaragua negotiations and echoes a similar release of over 200 prisoners last year.

The United States has secured the release of 135 political prisoners from Nicaragua on humanitarian grounds, according to the White House. These individuals have been taken to Guatemala, where they can lawfully seek to move to the United States or other nations.

Following months of negotiations between the U.S. and Nicaragua, the White House announced that those released include members of a Christian evangelical organization, Catholic lay people, and students. This latest move comes after over 200 Nicaraguan political prisoners were freed and flown to the U.S. last year. At that time, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega described the release as a measure to expel criminals undermining his country.

The Guatemalan President's office confirmed the plane carrying the released prisoners arrived early Thursday. The U.S. supplied transportation, food, and housing for the freed individuals and noted they would have the opportunity to request relocation to another country. Washington had previously imposed sanctions on Nicaragua, criticizing Ortega's re-election as a sham and denouncing the arrest of his top opponents, journalists, and religious figures.

Thirteen members of the Texas-based evangelical organization Mountain Gateway, arrested and convicted on allegedly baseless money laundering charges, were among the freed prisoners. Mountain Gateway denounced these charges and highlighted the wrongful imprisonment of their pastors. Ortega has frequently accused church leaders of trying to overthrow his government, particularly since the Catholic Church's attempts to mediate during the violent 2018 protests.

(With inputs from agencies.)