The US has secured the release of 135 political prisoners in Nicaraguans for humanitarian reasons who will remain in Guatemala before trying to move legally to the US or other countries, the White House said, as quoted by Reuters and BTA.
All those freed are Nicaraguan citizens and are members of a Christian evangelical organization, Catholic laity and students. Last year, more than 200 Nicaraguan political prisoners were released and traveled to the United States. At the time, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, who in recent years has cracked down on people critical of the government, described the release as an attempt to expel criminals who want to undermine the status quo in Nicaragua.
The office of Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo announced that the plane carrying the Nicaraguans had arrived in Guatemala early in the morning. They will remain in Guatemala, where they will be able to legally request to go to another country. The US has provided their transportation, covering the cost of food and accommodation.
In 2021, Washington imposed sanctions and deemed Ortega's re-election illegitimate after all of his main opponents were detained by police in the months leading up to the vote, and journalists and religious figures were also arrested.