On political prisoners in Nicaragua - the cases of Carlos Brenes, Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto and Brooklyn Rivera

B100315/2026

European Parliament resolution on political prisoners in Nicaragua - the cases of Carlos Brenes, Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto and Brooklyn Rivera

(2026/2765(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Nicaragua,

- having regard to Rules 150 of its Rules of Procedure;

whereas former army colonel and dissident Carlos Brenes and his wife Salvadora Martinez were again arbitrarily detained on 14th August 2025 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for the alleged crime of “treason” according to an IACHR ruling; whereas their whereabouts haven’t been reliably confirmed and no family member has had contact with them since their detention, which amounts to enforced disappearance;

whereas prominent Miskitu leader and former legislator Brooklyn Rivera’s relatives were informed on 30 May 2026 of his death after more than 32 months in State custody; whereas members of his family who went to claim his remains are enforcedly disappeared; whereas he was arbitrarily detained and enforcedly disappeared since his clandestine return to Nicaragua in September 2023; whereas in May 2023 he was prevented from returning to Nicaragua as a reprisal for his cooperation with the UN;

whereas the Nicaraguan regime continues with a pattern of serious allegations of torture and mistreatment of inmates in prisons; whereas since August 2025 the UN has registered three other cases of death in custody, also appearing related to poor conditions of detention and insufficient medical care;

whereas in March 2026, the report of a Group of Experts on Nicaragua described repression and persecution by authorities as systematic, amounting to, prima facie, crimes against humanity;

Strongly condemns the Nicaraguan regime’s widespread repression; urges the Nicaraguan regime to release all those arbitrarily detained and ensure that detention facilities fully comply with international human rights standards, including access to adequate healthcare, notifying family, and ensuring access to legal representation and to an independent justice system.

Calls on an immediate proof of life for Mr. Brenes and Mrs. Martínez, as well as their unconditional release; is deeply concern over Mr. Brenes’ health conditions and fears that his life is in immediate and irreparable danger.

Deplores the death of Mr. Rivera and calls on Nicaraguan regime to conduct a prompt, impartial and effective investigation into his death and to hold those responsible accountable; urges the regime to release his family members immediately while giving them access to all relevant information and ensuring their participation in decisions regarding his remains including the funeral rites.

Calls on the regime to restore access of the UN Human Rights Office and other human rights mechanisms to the country, and particularly to its detention centres.

Reiterates its demand to trigger the democratic clause of the EU-Central America Association Agreement and to include Daniel Ortega and his inner circle in the list of EU sanctioned individuals;

Calls for the immediate extradition of Alessio Casimirri to Italy.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, the OAS, the EuroLat Parliamentary Assembly, the Central American Parliament, the Presidency Pro Tempore of CELAC, and the Nicaraguan regime.