The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has had a telephone conversation with his Nicaraguan counterpart, Denis Moncada, to whom he has conveyed the «importance of a constructive dialogue» after the recent release of 222 political prisoners.
«Following the release of 222 Nicaraguan political prisoners yesterday (Thursday), I have spoken today (Friday) with Foreign Minister Moncada about the importance of a constructive dialogue to build a better future for the Nicaraguan people,» Blinken posted on his Twitter account late Friday.
Nicaragua deported last Thursday to the United States 222 political prisoners accused of committing acts against the independence and sovereignty of Nicaragua, of «inciting» violence and terrorism, of perpetrating actions of «economic destabilization» or harming «the supreme interests of the nation».
Managua defends that this is a unilateral measure, although the United States has confirmed contacts with the Spanish authorities to guarantee the reception of these prisoners.
The deputy head of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the US State Department, Emily Mendrala, explained that the prisoners can «explore offers» from other countries and not necessarily remain in US territory, in view of the Spanish offer to grant them nationality.
The humanitarian reception offered by the United States entitles them to at least two years of residency, essential in the case of a group that was theoretically stripped of its nationality en bloc, as a result of a constitutional reform that specifically penalizes «traitors of the homeland».
For Joe Biden’s Administration, the massive releases should be «a first step» to achieve «a restoration of democracy and an improvement of Human Rights» in the Central American country.
The Nicaraguan government had raised the possibility of the prisoners being taken to another country, alleging that they were «agents of foreign powers», in the words of President Daniel Ortega.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
