Nicaragua Frees Bishop Rolando Álvarez and 18 Clergy Members After Vatican Negotiations

Nicaragua's government has released Bishop Rolando Álvarez and 18 other clergy members after negotiations with Vatican authorities. The clergy members were incarcerated under the regime's crackdown on religious leaders, accused of supporting a plot to overthrow President Daniel Ortega's regime. The Vatican received the clergy members in compliance with agreements of good faith and goodwill, with most of them arriving in Rome as guests of the Holy See. U.S. officials have criticized Ortega's administration for waging war against religious freedom and civil liberties, and efforts are ongoing to secure the release of remaining prisoners of conscience in Nicaragua.