Nicaragua has released 12 Roman Catholic priests who were previously detained on various charges and sent them to Rome, according to an announcement by the Nicaraguan government late Wednesday.

President Daniel Ortega’s administration stated that the priests were transported to Rome on Wednesday afternoon following productive negotiations with the Vatican.

Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, the highest-ranking church official in Nicaragua, has not yet responded to requests for comment, the Associated Press reported.

The Nicaraguan government emphasized that this agreement underscores its “the permanent will and commitment to find solutions.”

In recent years, Ortega’s government has taken a strong stance against the Catholic Church.

Ortega contends that the church played a role in supporting the widespread protests against his administration in April 2018, which he perceived as an attempted coup.

Written by staff