According to a State Department official speaking to The News on Wednesday, Roger Carstens, the United States’ envoy for hostage matters, is presently in Israel. Carstens’ visit aligns with ongoing U.S. efforts aimed at extending the ceasefire and securing the release of additional hostages.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Roger Carstens of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor delivered opening remarks to underscore the severity of the human rights crisis occurring in Nicaragua. A panel of Nicaraguan civil society leaders, including independent journalists and a human rights activist, provided firsthand accounts of the Ortega-Murillo regime’s alarming and continuing pattern of arbitrary arrest, harassment, and threats against anyone perceived as an opponent. Advocates for political prisoners reported that many of those arbitrarily or unlawfully detained remain in detention and recounted continued violence and restriction of civil liberties for both those detained and their family members.
U.S. Mission Photo/Eric Bridiers
The official mentioned Carstens’ role in supporting the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week. Carstens is set to meet with families of American hostages and engage with Israeli government counterparts during his time in Israel.
Additionally, Steve Gillen, the U.S. deputy special envoy for hostage matters, remains in Israel, where he has been stationed for over a month.
Notably, discussions surrounding the hostages have been primarily overseen in recent weeks by CIA Director Bill Burns. Burns was engaged in talks in Qatar on Tuesday regarding this matter.