By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - The Biden administration announced Thursday that it secured the release of 135 Nicaraguan "unjustly detained political prisoners" who will be transferred to Guatemala "on humanitarian grounds" for migrant processing.
"The United States welcomes the leadership and generosity of the Government of Guatemala for graciously agreeing to accept these Nicaraguan citizens. Once in Guatemala, these individuals will be offered the opportunity to apply for lawful ways to rebuild their lives in the United States or other countries," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.
Those being freed include "13 members of the Texas-based Mountain Gateway organization, along with Catholic laypeople, students, and others who Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo consider a threat to their authoritarian rule," Sullivan added, referring to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and the country's first lady.
Mountain Gateway is a Christian Evangelical church whose missionary work is heavily focused on Latin America. Eleven pastors affiliated with the group were convicted on money laundering charges and given sentences of up to 15 years in prison in March in addition to fines totaling tens of millions of dollars.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said those freed, including the Mountain Gateway members, were imprisoned "for exercising their fundamental freedoms of expression, of association and peaceful assembly, and of religion or belief."
"Daniel Ortega, Rosario Murillo, and their associates continue to violate human rights, stifle legitimate dissent, jail opponents, seize their property, and prevent citizens from reentering their home country. We urge the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Nicaragua," he added.