Salazar Introduces Nicaragua Political Prisoner Support Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) was joined by Ranking Member Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Reps. Carlos Giménez (R-FL), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) in introducing the Nicaragua Political Prisoner Support Act. The bill would grant the 222 political prisoners who were expelled by the criminal Ortega-Murillo regime last February the critical support services the U.S. government offers to refugees.

“This February, the criminal Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua expelled 222 political prisoners and stripped them of their Nicaraguan citizenship, accusing them of treason for denouncing the abuses of the dictatorship,” said Rep. Salazar, Chairwoman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. “Miami is a refuge for freedom fighters from across Latin America and this bill makes sure these 222 political prisoners who were tortured and persecuted by Ortega are able to receive all of the critical services offered by the U.S. government to refugees so they can start a new life in the free world.”

In February 2023, the regime expelled 222 political prisoners, including opposition presidential candidates, student activists, and other civic leaders. The regime called the expulsion of its political opposition ‘deportations,’ banishing them from the country and leaving them stateless, citing false charges of treason for denouncing the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Nicaraguan government.

“The 222 Nicaraguan political prisoners who escaped to freedom last February deserve the full support of our government as they and their families begin their new lives in the United States,” said Rep. Castro, Ranking Member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. “These civic leaders and dissidents are refugees in all but name, and they should have access to the same resources as others who flee from violence and oppression. I thank Chairwoman Salazar for her leadership on this bill and look forward to working with Sens. Kaine and Cassidy to see it signed into law.”

“As the Representative of thousands of Nicaraguan-Americans and the City of Sweetwater, the capital of the Nicaraguan exile community in the U.S., I am proud to join my colleagues Rep. Salazar and Rep. Castro in introducing the bipartisan Nicaragua Political Prisoner Support Act,” said Rep. Giménez. “The people of Nicaragua have long suffered under the yoke of the murderous Ortega regime, and we must continue to protect these former political prisoners who were cynically targeted, persecuted, and tortured by Ortega’s lackeys.”

"Earlier this year, the Ortega Regime in Nicaragua shamelessly expelled and revoked the citizenship of 222 political prisoners who dared to speak out against the dictatorship's abuses, accusing them of treason," said Rep. Díaz-Balart. "Throughout history, Miami has been a sanctuary for individuals escaping persecution and fighting for freedom in Latin America. It is imperative that they are granted the opportunity to embark on a fresh start in a world where freedom prevails."

"For years, I worked alongside former Congressman Albio Sires to ratchet up international pressure and reverse the dictatorship's imprisonment of political opponents through the NICA and RENACER Acts," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "I'm grateful for the Biden Administration's work to secure the release of those who bravely stood against Daniel Ortega's assault on democracy and proud to support this bipartisan effort to ensure they have the resources to continue to advocate for their homeland."

BACKGROUND:

The criminal socialist regime led by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo in Nicaragua are responsible for some of the most reprehensible human rights abuses recorded in Latin America since their rise to power in the 1980s.

In 2018, protests against Ortega intensified and were eventually declared illegal by the regime. The regime also declared a war on the Catholic Church, arresting several priests and missionaries while shutting down Catholic radio stations and public religious ceremonies. Paramilitaries associated with the regime also locked the faithful in the Divine Mercy parish in Managua and proceeded to fire at the sanctuary. Other political dissenters and opposition figures have been jailed in horrid conditions without due process. 

The speech where Representative Salazar condemns these acts of persecution against the Catholic Church can be found here.

Find the full text of the bill here.

There are 450,000 Nicaraguan Americans living in the United States, and Congresswoman Salazar represents over 30,000 of them in Florida’s 27th congressional district.

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