The government of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua has ordered the release of 2,000 common prisoners across the country ahead of Valentine’s Day. This is the largest release of prisoners in recent years.
The announcement was made by the vice president and wife of Ortega, Rosario Murillo, in a televised speech. The president, who has been in power since 2007, has a history of releasing prisoners, particularly on significant dates.
Although the government has released common inmates in the past, the quantities have generally been lower. For example, in 2024, the Sandinista government released 9,200 common prisoners. These releases often coincided with festive occasions, such as Mother’s Day or the Day of the Dead.
Publicity and Control
Critics of the government’s actions suggest that these mass releases serve dual purposes: gaining populist support from the released individuals and their families, and maintaining strict control over dissenting voices.
Information sourced from Voice of America.