Talks Between US, Nicaragua Lead to Prisoner Release
The White House has announced that, following negotiations between Nicaragua and the US, Managua released 135 political prisoners on Thursday....
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Facts
- The White House has announced that, following negotiations between Nicaragua and the US, Managua released 135 political prisoners on Thursday.[1]
- The prisoners have been sent to Guatemala. From there, they may travel to the US or other countries.[2]
- Since anti-government protests in 2018, Nicaragua has reportedly exiled and detained many opposition members and critics, including priests and pastors. It has also reportedly shut down over 5K non-governmental organizations, private universities, and civil society organizations.[3][2]
- Among the released political prisoners were 13 individuals from Mountain Gateway — a religious charity in Texas. Others reportedly included Catholic laypeople and students.[4]
- The US State Department said the prisoners were released without Nicaragua receiving anything in return, and there's no change in US policy toward Pres. Daniel Ortega.[5]
- Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla leader, fought US-backed forces in the 1980s and regained power in 2007. He has since abolished presidential term limits and consolidated power over all government institutions.[6]
Sources: [1]Reuters, [2]US News & World Report, [3]BBC News, [4]Los Angeles Times, [5]Associated Press and [6]Yahoo News.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by CBS. This was a diplomatic victory for the US. Ortega's arbitrary arrests and incarceration of members of the opposition and NGOs, and stripping dissidents of their nationality, must cease. No one should have to risk getting arrested for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Jpmas. This is far from a diplomatic victory for the US: Through his willingness to release political prisoners while receiving nothing in return, Ortega has shown that his only goal here is to rid his country of traitors. Nicaragua has a right to defend itself from those wishing to do it harm from inside or outside the country.
