US Secures Release of 135 Political Prisoners from Nicaragua
The US government announced the release of 135 political prisoners from Nicaragua, including members of a Texas-based religious organization, who will be processed in Guatemala for potential relocation to the US. This release follows a broader crackdown on dissent by the Nicaraguan government under President Daniel Ortega.
| Score | Value |
|---|---|
Scale | 5 |
Novelty | 5 |
Positivity | 6 |
Reliability | 8 |
Actionability | 3 |
Society | 8 |
Journalism | 4 |
Highlights
- The United States secured the release of 135 political prisoners from Nicaragua on humanitarian grounds.
- The released individuals include 13 members of the Texas-based Mountain Gateway organization, Catholic laypeople, and students.
- The prisoners were taken to Guatemala, where they will apply for entry to the United States or other countries.
- Nicaragua's government has jailed hundreds of people since mass protests against President Daniel Ortega's rule began in 2018.
- The Nicaraguan government has closed more than 5,000 organizations, many of them religious, since 2018.
Perspectives
- Human rights advocates view the release of the prisoners as a significant victory for those opposing the Ortega regime, although they note that the release comes with forced displacement from their home country. [5][15][22]
- Critics argue that the release of these prisoners does not signify a change in the oppressive tactics of the Ortega government, which continues to target dissenters and restrict freedoms. [6][13][20]