The Nicaraguan authorities have released 135 political prisoners who will be transferred to Guatemala, the U.S. government announced Thursday, which has acted as mediator in this process and has demanded the release of all those who remain unjustly detained under Daniel Ortega’s government.
“No one should be in jail for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights to free expression, association and belief,” said White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who confirmed that the 135 people released include members of Catholic organizations and students.
These are people perceived by Ortega as a threat to his authoritarian regime, according to Sullivan, who has claimed the “immediate” release of the other political prisoners who remain in Nicaraguan prisons, the result of a repressive escalation that began with the opposition protests of 2018 and has been exacerbated in recent years.
The U.S. 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 adhered to the safe mobility plan promoted by the Joe Biden Administration, including Spain.
This article has been translated after first appearing in El Pais