Blinken announced that “the United States facilitated their safe transport to Dulles International Airport. The individuals arrived today, and the United States is providing medical and legal support to ease their arrival.”
John Feeley, former U.S. ambassador and executive director of the Center for Media Integrity of the Americas, told CNA that the release was “a significant diplomatic victory for the U.S. government in support of human rights in Nicaragua.”
“The fact that there were no leaks and work has been going on for over a week to coordinate today’s flight is a testament to disciplined, powerful diplomacy,” he added. “Ambassador Kevin Sullivan and the State Department team supporting his embassy in Managua deserve an enormous amount of credit.”
According to ACI Prensa, those released included seven clergy and laity recently sentenced to a decade in prison by the Ortega regime for “conspiracy to undermine national security and sovereignty” and “spreading fake news.”
The freed priests included Ramiro Reynaldo Tijerino Chávez, 50, rector of the John Paul II University; Sadiel Antonio Eugarrios Cano, 35, former vicar of the Matagalpa cathedral; and José Luis Díaz Cruz, 33, current vicar of the Matagalpa cathedral.