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Nicaragua Releases ~40 Political Critics, Sparking Mixed Reactions

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 6:56 GMT by reuters.com

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Nicaragua Releases ~40 Political Critics, Sparking Mixed Reactions

In a surprising turn that has drawn both domestic and international attention, Nicaraguan authorities announced on Thursday that they had released roughly forty people who had been detained on political charges. The announcement came during a brief press conference held by the Ministry of the Interior and Justice (Ministerio del Interior y Justicia), with the national police (Policía Nacional) present to escort the freed detainees. According to the ministry, the release was part of a broader “prison reform” program and was conducted “in accordance with the legal procedures and after a thorough review of each case.”

The released individuals include a mix of opposition activists, journalists, and a former member of the National Assembly who had been a vocal critic of President Daniel Ortega’s government. The ministry said the release was based on “lack of evidence” or “compliance with prison rules” and that the individuals would not face any further legal proceedings. However, the precise legal justifications were not detailed, leaving observers uncertain about whether the releases were a result of procedural errors, international pressure, or a shift in Ortega’s strategy.

Background: A Nation in Political Turmoil

Nicaragua’s political climate has been tense for several years. In 2018, massive protests erupted in response to the government’s decision to eliminate pension subsidies, leading to a violent crackdown that saw over 200 people killed and thousands arrested. The opposition, which includes the Constitutionalist Liberal Party (PLC) and various civil society groups, has been suppressed through a combination of arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and state-controlled media.

In the 2023 presidential election, Ortega secured a fourth consecutive term amid allegations of electoral fraud and intimidation. The opposition’s candidate, Carlos Fernando Fuentes, was barred from running, and the election was widely criticized by the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States as lacking transparency and fairness.

The release of the forty detainees is the first significant loosening of the regime’s strict control over political dissent in more than half a decade. According to a 2024 Human Rights Watch report linked in the Reuters piece, the Nicaraguan government had, until recently, been responsible for the imprisonment of more than 1,200 political opponents and journalists since 2018. This report also highlighted that many of those detained had no formal charges and were held without access to legal counsel or family visits.

Government Narrative and Legal Context

The ministry’s statement cited a “new law on the humane treatment of prisoners” that was enacted in late 2024. The law, which was adopted by the National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional) after a single‑party vote, allows for the “expedited release” of prisoners who have “completed their sentence” or who have “fulfilled certain conditions” such as good behavior and participation in rehabilitation programs. The law’s critics argue that it is a façade to mask continued political persecution while presenting the appearance of legal reform.

A link in the article directs readers to the full text of the law on the government’s official website. The law’s language is vague regarding the definition of “political dissent” and does not provide a clear process for judicial review of alleged political cases. The ministry also referenced the “National Police’s Internal Affairs Division” (Dirección de Asuntos Internos de la Policía) as responsible for vetting the prisoners’ records. According to a separate statement by the Police Commissioner, the division verified that all forty detainees had “no outstanding criminal record” and were “eligible for release.”

International Reactions

The United States and the European Union released joint statements condemning the continued crackdown on dissent in Nicaragua and welcomed the release as a “positive step,” but warned that it must be “followed by genuine reforms.” In a tweet, U.S. State Department spokesperson Emily Murphy said: “We applaud the Nicaraguan government’s decision to release these political prisoners. We urge the government to end arbitrary detentions and to uphold the rule of law.” The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, echoed the sentiment and called for “the full vindication of human rights” in Nicaragua.

Human Rights Watch (HRW), which was linked in the Reuters article, released a brief statement praising the release but urged that it be accompanied by an independent investigation into the conditions of the remaining political prisoners. HRW’s spokesperson, Marta Gutiérrez, wrote: “While we welcome the release of these 40 individuals, it is imperative that the government also address the systemic violations that continue to undermine the country’s democratic institutions.”

Reactions Inside Nicaragua

Within Nicaragua, the release sparked a mixed reaction. Opposition leaders on social media expressed cautious optimism, calling for continued pressure on the Ortega regime. An opposition spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “It is a small victory, but we must not become complacent. We still need the release of all political detainees and a return to genuine democratic processes.”

Conversely, supporters of the Ortega administration, who rallied outside the ministry’s press conference, applauded the government’s “commitment to national unity and the rule of law.” A video posted on the official government portal featured President Ortega’s aide, Jose Maria Lopez, who thanked the “lawful institutions” for their role in the release and called it a “symbol of progress for Nicaragua.”

Follow‑Up and Future Outlook

The Reuters piece ends by noting that the Nicaraguan government will reportedly begin a review of the remaining political prisoners, with a possible “targeted release program” slated for the next few months. The government’s press office said it would publish a list of those still detained and explain the criteria for future releases. The link to the upcoming press release on the ministry’s website is already live, showing that the Nicaraguan authorities intend to keep the public informed.

For the opposition, the release of forty critics is a relief but also a reminder that the regime’s broader suppression tactics remain in place. The United Nations Human Rights Office’s latest report, which was also linked in the Reuters article, indicates that as of late 2024, the state had a “significant number of prisoners in pre‑trial detention” and that “political imprisonment remains a persistent tool of repression.” The report calls for an “immediate and complete end to the detention of individuals solely for political dissent.”

In summary, while the release of approximately forty political critics from Nicaraguan prisons is a notable development in a country long plagued by political repression, the event raises questions about the sincerity of the Ortega regime’s reforms. The international community, domestic opposition, and human rights organizations alike are watching closely to see whether this release will be a catalyst for broader change or merely a temporary appeasement.