The United States considered this Thursday “unacceptable” the imprisonment of opposition leaders, journalists and students in Nicaragua, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre remarked on Thursday.
The spokeswoman spoke during a press conference in response to a question about the repression against religious leaders and one week after house arrest of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando José Álvarezvery critical of the Government of Daniel Ortega.
“There has been a dramatic deterioration in respect for democratic principles and human rights by the regime in Nicaragua, including the imprisonment of democratic leaders, members of the political opposition, students and journalists. The Biden and (Kamala) Harris Administration finds this unacceptable and condemns these actions,” said Jean-Pierre.
Álvarez, bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa and apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Estelí, is locked up under the figure of “home protection”, which does not exist in Nicaraguan legislation. Also, the regime held a “clandestine” hearing against seven people, including priests and laity, who remained kidnapped for more than 15 days together with the religious leader.
According to the spokeswoman, the United States and members of the international community have already taken measures to promote accountability and will continue to take more actions, of which she did not provide details.
The Biden government has repeatedly rejected Ortega’s repression and did not invite him to the recent Summit of the Americas held in Los Angeles, in which the United States served as host.
A silent future? Do not let that happen
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