Joint Statement on Assistance to Political Prisoners Released from Nicaragua

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Guatemala.

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Today, the United States and Guatemala took measures to provide safety and assistance to 135 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience who had been unjustly detained by Nicaraguan authorities.  Among the released are religious leaders, laypeople, and human rights defenders. Their arrival in Guatemala follows months of negotiations between the United States and Nicaragua.

This joint U.S.-Guatemalan effort brings to an end some of the suffering of the released prisoners.  The United States facilitated the voluntary transportation of these individuals from Nicaragua to Guatemala, where they will have the opportunity to apply for lawful pathways to reclaim their lives.  In collaboration with Guatemalan authorities, the United States and our humanitarian partners will temporarily provide the individuals with food, lodging, and medical assistance, including psychological support, to help them recover and begin the difficult work of rebuilding their lives.

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.  We underscore that a threat to democracy anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere.  Everyone has the responsibility to protect those who defend democracy and human rights across the world.  The United States and Guatemala will continue to stand in solidarity with the Nicaraguan people and all who peacefully seek to have their voices heard.

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