Since the outbreak of the socio-political crisis in Nicaragua In April 2018, the regime headed by Daniel Ortega and his wife, the Vice President Rosario Murillocarried out a series of expulsions that affected 222 religious, including 91 nuns, according to a report released Tuesday by the NGO Collective Nicaragua Never Again.
The report, titled “Religious Freedom, Persecution of Laypeople,” reveals that between January and April 2024, at least 34 Nicaraguan priests were forced to leave the country, excluding the seven recently sent to VaticanSince the beginning of the crisis, at least 52 religious and their families have found themselves in a situation of de facto statelessness.
The Collective, made up of Nicaraguan activists in exile and based in San José, also highlights an increase in repression by the Sandinista regime. This includes arbitrary arrests, direct attacks on religious leaders, and increasing stigmatization in official statements about the freedom of worship.
Since 2021, more than 420 Christian organizations have been closed, including the recent dissolution of Caritas of the Diocese of MatagalpaIn addition, at least 22 religious media outlets were confiscated, including Radio Maria, whose last broadcast was on July 9, 2024.
The report also mentions that at least 21 evangelical pastors are in exile, while three were prevented from returning to Nicaragua. The denationalization of 22 religious leaders was also documented.
Related
2024-08-18 16:33:16