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The Nicaraguan government released more than 200 political prisoners in recent days, many of whom were flown to the United States, a move that officials and analysts said could lead to dialogue between Washington and Managua, CNN reported.

A Nicaraguan judge announced the release of 222 detainees, saying that they had been found guilty of “treason and serious crimes.” He added that the detained individuals have been barred from public office and from running in elections.

Their release comes after years of repression by the regime of President Daniel Ortega, who has jailed hundreds of opposition figures and activists, particularly in the lead-up to the last elections in 2021. Most international observers declared the 2021 poll a sham.

Meanwhile, US officials welcomed the release of the prisoners, noting that it was “a unilateral decision” by the Nicaraguan government and not part of “a broader bargain.” They added that past sanctions against Ortega’s regime will remain in place.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed the decision as “a constructive step towards addressing human rights abuses in the country and opens the door to further dialogue between the United States and Nicaragua regarding issues of concern.”

Even so, the Ortega-controlled parliament passed a measure to strip individuals convicted of treason of their citizenship, a move that would render the political prisoners stateless.

Political analysts say the measure is part of efforts by Ortega to eradicate dissent in the Central American country and let others deal with the stateless individuals.

Spain, meanwhile, said it reached out to the 222 freed prisoners to offer them Spanish citizenship, Reuters noted.