US secures the release of 135 Nicaraguan political prisoners

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — The U.S. government announced Thursday that it secured the release of 135 Nicaraguan political prisoners, who have arrived in Guatemala where they will apply for entry to the United States or other countries.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement that they were released on humanitarian grounds.

“No one should be put in jail for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights of free expression, association, and practicing their religion,” Sullivan said.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Eric Jacobstein, speaking with reporters, said that the Nicaraguan government received nothing in exchange for the prisoners' release and the negotiation signaled no change in U.S. policy toward the government of President Daniel Ortega.

“Though the pressure itself has been consistent, the planning and execution of this release was rapid, and we’ve worked quickly to facilitate the travel of these individuals and really ensure their safety at every step of the journey,” Jacobstein said, adding that Nicaragua continues to “unjustly” detain people.

Asked if there were some prisoners Nicaragua was willing to release, but who refused to leave, he declined to comment.

Jacobstein, who greeted the Nicaraguans in Guatemala, said “these are individuals, some of whom have been victims of torture ... who’ve had an extremely difficult time, we did find them generally in very good health and spirits.”

One thing that struck the U.S. diplomat about some of his conversations with the prisoners was the “true pettiness and cruelty” of Ortega’s government for imprisoning people for no justifiable reason.

Among the Nicaraguans released were 13 members of a Texas-based religious charity, Catholic laypeople, students and others.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo agreed to host the Nicaraguans while they apply for entry to the U.S.

The Nicaraguans rolled out of a Guatemalan air base in the capital on buses Thursday morning, with some waving from the windows.

Nicaragua’s government did not immediately confirm the announcement on the prisoners’ release.

Nicaraguan human rights advocate Haydeé Castillo said the release of the prisoners was a “triumph for the Nicaraguan people’s resistance.” She noted that the prisoners weren’t really freed because their release comes with forced displacement from their country.

“Nobody should be held prisoner for thinking differently,” Castillo said.

She said advocates were reviewing lists to see how many such prisoners remain in custody.

Ivannia Alvarez, an exiled Nicaraguan and member of the Recognition Mechanism for Political Prisoners, said that her most recent count had been 151 jailed, suggesting that some of them are still detained.

The Texas-based religious organization Mountain Gateway confirmed the release of 13 of its people after nine months in jail.

“This is the day we have prayed for,” pastor Jon Britton Hancock, Mountain Gateway’s founder, said in a statement.

Environmentalist Amaru Ruiz said on social platforms that among those released were eight Indigenous forest rangers.

“The United States again calls on the government of Nicaragua to immediately cease the arbitrary arrest and detention of its citizens for merely exercising their fundamental freedoms,” Sullivan said.

The U.S. government referred to them as political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.

The announcement came just two days after Nicaragua’s National Assembly approved changes to the criminal code allowing the government to try Nicaraguans and foreigners in absentia.

Opponents and organizations that have fled or been forced into exile in President Ortega’s yearslong campaign to silence critical voices could be fined, sentenced to lengthy prison terms and see their property seized by the government under the approved changes.

Last year, the government exiled more than 300 opposition figures, stripping them of their nationality. Far more Nicaraguans have fled into exile themselves to escape the repression that followed massive 2018 protests that Ortega dubbed a failed coup with international backing.

“These individuals safely and voluntarily arrived in Guatemala," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. “We thank President Bernardo Arévalo and his administration for their efforts and support in welcoming them.”

“Nicaraguan authorities unjustly detained these individuals for exercising their fundamental freedoms of expression, of association and peaceful assembly, and of religion or belief,” Blinken said.

The government has shuttered more than 5,000 organizations since 2018, many of them religious in nature.

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Gabriela Selser in Mexico City contributed to this report.

A Nicaraguan citizen shows his passport from a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

A Nicaraguan citizen rides on a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

A Nicaraguan citizen raises his fist from a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Nicaraguan citizens ride a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Isaias Ruiz gestures from a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Nicaraguan citizens wave from a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Nicaraguan citizens wave from a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Lucia Garcia gestures from a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Manuel Rios peers from a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

A Nicaraguan citizen shows his passport from a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Isaias Ruiz gestures from a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Nicaraguan citizens wave from a bus after being released from a Nicaraguan jail and landing at the airport in Guatemala City, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

US secures release of 135 Nicaraguan political prisoners who have arrived in Guatemala

FILE - Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega poses for a photo during the ALBA Summit at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana, Cuba, Dec. 14, 2021. (Adalberto Roque, Pool Photo via AP, File)

US secures release of 135 Nicaraguan political prisoners who have arrived in Guatemala

NEW YORK (AP) — The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards are over, with “Shogun” claiming the top drama prize and “Hacks” winning best comedy.

The hosts, father-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy, opened the show Sunday night. They won Emmys at the 2020 awards for “Schitt’s Creek.”

“Shogun,” “The Bear” and “Baby Reindeer” were favorites going into the night. “Shogun” emerged with the top drama prize and “Baby Reindeer” snagged the limited series trophy. “Shogun″ extended its lead for most wins by a show in a single season, collecting 18 Emmys this year.

But “Hacks" emerged as the top comedy series, denying “The Bear” a comedy series repeat.

The Emmys are back in their traditional mid-September spot after a single strike-delayed edition in January.

The show began at 8 p.m., Eastern time, and is airing on ABC from the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

Here's the latest:

“I’m blessed with all the people around me who helped me make it happen. I kind of just feel a bit overwhelmed right now. I wasn’t expecting this,” Richard Gadd said backstage after his three wins for “Baby Reindeer.” “I’m just so glad that the show has touched the lives of so many people, and the Academy have acknowledged it in this way. It’s the greatest night of my life. What can I say?”

Gadd also initially declined to answer a question about the $170 million defamation lawsuit Netflix is facing for the show, but then spoke to its impact. The lawsuit comes from the woman who claims to be the inspiration for the series, which is based off of Gadd’s life and experience with a woman who stalked him.

“It’s easy in this day and age to focus on the negatives,” he said before saying the show has driven some viewers to donate to sexual assault and stalking-focused charities and has done “phenomenal things worldwide for so many people.”

Hiroyuki Sanada is the first Japanese actor to win the Emmy for best actor in a drama.

“I am beyond honored to be here with amazing nominees,” he said. “‘Shogun’ taught me when we work together, we can make miracles. We can create a better future together.”

Sanada received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Anna Sawai is the first Japanese actor to win best actress in a drama. The actor, who is a first-time nominee, was tearful throughout her speech.

“I was crying before my name was announced. I’m a mess today,” she said.

“This to all the women who expect nothing and continue to be an example for everyone,” she added.

“Shogun” also won best drama series.

John Oliver, who won scripted variety series for "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,'' said he was ‘honestly’ happy to get the cue to wrap up when he mentioned his dog during his acceptance speech.

“I’m not well versed in sincerity, as a British person and as a comedian, so I didn’t really want to get upset and thankfully, whoever was on that board, I think said, ‘You can’t carry this off’ and walked me straight into a joke. So, I’m very, very grateful that they gave me the parachute so I could avoid my feelings once more. But yeah, we had a great dog, and we had to say goodbye this week, and it’s brutal,” he said backstage.

In his acceptance, Oliver dedicated his Emmy to his recently deceased dog — and “all dogs.” He quarreled with the play-off music in a bleeped exchange.

Lamorne Morris, star of “Fargo,” is taking home his first Emmy award on his first nomination.

The “New Girl” star was clearly flustered as he accepted the award, saying he has a poster of fellow nominee Robert Downey Jr. in his house and asked him to sign it.

“My beautiful daughter, Lily. I love you. I told you I would do it. You’ve always doubted me,” he joked.

The breakout star from Netflix’s most recent season of “Bridgerton,” Nicola Coughlan added an Artists4Ceasefire red pin to her glittering off-the-shoulder gown. Coughlan has been outspoken in supporting Palestinians and calling for a cease-fire.

Actors across the award season have been wearing the Artists4Ceasefire red pin with a hand holding a heart to demand a cease-fire in Gaza and a release of the Israeli hostages.

Ahead of the premiere of the 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” on Sept. 28, cast members from the sketch show’s storied history have gathered for an unforgettable reunion.

Former members Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Seth Meyers joined current regular Bowen Yang onstage.

The segment leans into the January Emmys’ nostalgia-laden programming, which included Tina Fey and Amy Poehler presenting an award in the style of SNL’s famed “Weekend Update,” along with the casts of “Cheers,” “Martin” and other hit shows reuniting.

Jessica Gunning, who haunts as stalker Martha on “Baby Reindeer,” accepts the Emmy for her performance from a group of actors who have portrayed iconic villains in a fitting pairing. She got emotional as she thanked Richard Gadd, the star and creator of the series.

“I tried so many times to put into words what working on ‘Baby Reindeer’ meant to me and I fail every time,” she said. “It really means a lot. So, thank you, reindeer.”

“Today, a Republican vice president would never attack a woman for having kids. So, as they say, my work here is done,” Candice Bergen wryly said before presenting the lead actress in a comedy series award.

She was referring to her Murphy Brown character being attacked by then-Vice President Dan Quayle for being a single mom.

Her subsequent “meow” got a big laugh and applause from the audience, including Jon Stewart.

For more on this year’s Emmy Awards, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/emmy-awards

Richard Gadd accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for "Baby Reindeer" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Hiroyuki Sanada accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Shogun" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Anna Sawai accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for "Shogun" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Hosts Eugene Levy, left, and Dan Levy speak during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)