GUATEMALA CITY — Seven Nicaraguans of the 135 who were released after a negotiation between the governments of Nicaragua and the United States and that Guatemala received, left the country heading to Costa Rica, the Guatemalan presidency reported.
Six Nicaraguan men and one woman left Monday morning on a Colombian airline Avianca flight from La Aurora International Airport to San José, without access to the press, after requesting asylum in Costa Rica.
Of the 135 exiles, including students, activists and religious people, among others, four requested refuge in Guatemala and the vast majority – about 120 – are seeking refuge in the United States, indicated the Guatemalan Immigration Directorate.
The Nicaraguans had arrived in Guatemala in September. The United States then provided transportation while Guatemala ensured that they received food, shelter, and medical assistance, including psychological support.
The release, the White House indicated at the time, was thanks to negotiations between the three countries.
The Deputy Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Eric Jacobstein, explained that the Nicaraguan government received nothing in exchange for the release of the prisoners and that the negotiation did not mark a change in US policy towards the government of Daniel Ortega.
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