WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement following the news the United States has secured the release of 135 political prisoners in Nicaragua on humanitarian grounds.
“The release of 135 Nicaraguan political prisoners this morning brings much-needed relief to these individuals and their families after facing the horror of unjust imprisonment under the Ortega-Murillo regime. Their freedom, secured through U.S. diplomacy, the tireless advocacy of loved ones, and the Guatemalan government’s willingness to provide refuge, demonstrates the enduring power of partnership across our hemisphere.
“I commend the Biden-Harris administration for its unwavering efforts to secure the release of these political prisoners and extend my deep gratitude to Guatemalan President Arevalo’s administration for stepping up to help save these lives. Thanks to their efforts, 135 people now have the opportunity to rebuild their lives free from the brutal grip of repression and torture.
“However, this release does not alter the grim reality in Nicaragua. The Ortega-Murillo regime continues its systematic repression of opposition figures, civil society organizations, youth, and religious leaders, and anyone it perceives as a threat to its totalitarian control. While we celebrate today’s news, the United States and the international community must remain vigilant in holding the Ortega-Murillo regime accountable for its corruption and appalling human rights abuses.”