The Lion By John Ransom
Scores of Nicaraguan political prisoners, some of whom were held in prison simply for being members of Christian churches, have arrived in Guatemala in a U.S.-brokered deal, according to multiple media accounts.
The former detainees, who were held by Nicaragua’s leftist Sandinista regime, will apply for entry to the U.S. or other countries, reported the Associated Press (AP).
“The United States and Guatemala reaffirm the rights of all persons to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief and to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly,” said a joint statement by the U.S. and Guatemala.
The White House said that the 135 prisoners had been freed on “humanitarian grounds” under the deal negotiated with Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, reported Reuters.
“No one should be put in jail for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights of free expression, association, and practicing their religion,” U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement about the deal.
The newly released prisoners include human rights workers, Catholic laypersons, and 13 individuals affiliated with a Texas-based Christian missionary organization, according to the World News Group (WNG).
WNG reported that among the detainees from the Christian missionary organization were three Americans…
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