The administration of President Joe Biden announced the release of 135 political prisoners in Nicaragua. The detainees were released on humanitarian grounds, underscoring the United States’ commitment to protecting people’s fundamental rights.
Among those released are 13 members of the Texas-based Mountain Gateway organization, as well as Catholic laypeople, students and others considered a threat by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. This release has occurred after extensive diplomatic negotiations and coordinated efforts at the international level.
“No one should be imprisoned for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights to free expression, association and religious practice,” the U.S. government said in a statement.
The Guatemalan government played a crucial role in this process, accepting the released Nicaraguan citizens. Once on Guatemalan soil, they are offered the opportunity to apply for legal avenues to rebuild their lives in the United States or other countries through President Biden’s Office of Safe Mobility initiative. “The United States welcomes the leadership and generosity of the Government of Guatemala.”
“President Biden and Vice President Harris thank President Arévalo for his continued leadership across the region,” the statement said.
The Biden-Harris administration has publicly called on the Nicaraguan regime to immediately cease the practice of arbitrarily arresting and detaining its citizens simply for exercising their fundamental freedoms.
“The United States once again calls on the Government of Nicaragua to immediately cease the arbitrary arrest and detention of its citizens,” they stressed.
The international community and various human rights organizations have welcomed this decision, considering it a significant step towards mitigating systematic violations of civil rights in Nicaragua. This humanitarian gesture, according to international observers, could positively influence future regional dialogues on human rights and democratic strengthening.
The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) have also been closely following this development.
“No one should be in prison for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights to free speech, association and belief,” said White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who confirmed that among the 135 people released were members of Catholic organizations and students.
These are people perceived by Ortega as “a threat to his authoritarian regime,” according to Sullivan, who has demanded the “immediate” release of the rest of the political prisoners who remain in Nicaraguan jails, the result of an escalation of repression that began with the opposition protests in 2018 and has worsened in recent years.
The American advisor wanted to recognize “the leadership and generosity” of the Government of Guatemala, since thanks to the Executive of Bernardo Arévalo the released prisoners will be able to choose to “rebuild their lives” in the United States or in other countries adhering to the safe mobility plan promoted by the Administration of Joe Biden, among which is Spain.
Bernardo Arévalo confirmed on Thursday that his country is hosting “135 Nicaraguan brothers, freed political prisoners,” after the United States announced shortly before the said “release.”
“Our country has shown its firm democratic conviction, which roundly rejects the threats of authoritarian regression. Today we reaffirm that commitment and return the international solidarity that we have received so many times, welcoming 135 Nicaraguan brothers, freed political prisoners. Only in freedom, democracy, life and humanity flourish. Welcome, Nicaraguan brothers!” said Arévalo in X.
Sullivan thanked Guatemala for collaborating to secure the release of the 135 “political prisoners unjustly detained” in Nicaragua, who, according to his statement, would be welcomed in Guatemala.
“The United States appreciates the leadership and generosity of the Government of Guatemala in graciously accepting these Nicaraguan citizens. Once in Guatemala, these individuals will be offered the opportunity to apply for legal ways to rebuild their lives in the United States or other countries,” Sullivan said.
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