Nicaragua Escalates Crackdown on Catholic Church, Exiles and Human Rights Advocates Raise Alarm
Nicaragua’s authoritarian clampdown on the Catholic Church continues to deepen under President Daniel Ortega’s regime, drawing sharp criticism from human rights organizations and exiled Nicaraguans. The growing suppression, which includes arrests, church closures, and harassment of clergy, has raised fresh concerns about religious freedom and human rights in the Central American nation.
Exiled Nicaraguans and international human rights groups report an alarming increase in state-led persecution targeting the Catholic Church, which has long been one of the few remaining institutions openly critical of the Ortega government. The regime, which has steadily moved toward one-party rule, views the Church’s influence as a threat to its authority.
According to reports from human rights organizations and testimonies from Nicaraguan exiles, dozens of priests have been arrested, some have been deported or stripped of their citizenship, and several Catholic institutions, including schools and charities, have been shut down. The government has also intensified surveillance and intimidation tactics against church leaders, with accusations of “undermining national sovereignty” often cited as the justification.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned the Ortega administration’s actions, labeling them as part of a broader strategy to silence dissent and control civil society. “The crackdown on the Catholic Church is a direct attack on freedom of religion and expression,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International. “The regime is systematically dismantling all avenues of peaceful resistance.”
The Vatican has expressed concern but remains diplomatically cautious, especially after the controversial expulsion of the Apostolic Nuncio in 2022 and the imprisonment of Bishop Rolando Álvarez in 2023—a case that sparked international outrage. Álvarez was later released into exile, but his case remains emblematic of the broader repression.
Exiles, many now living in Costa Rica, the United States, and Spain, describe a growing climate of fear in Nicaragua. “Priests are being treated like political criminals,” said Maria Gutiérrez, a Nicaraguan rights activist based in Miami. “It’s no longer just about silencing political opponents—the government now wants total control over faith communities too.”
The Ortega administration has denied accusations of religious persecution, claiming that the Church is involved in political subversion. However, critics argue that these claims are part of a broader pattern of disinformation aimed at justifying repression.
The crackdown on the Catholic Church comes amid continued international pressure on Nicaragua over its democratic backsliding. The U.S., EU, and OAS have all imposed sanctions on Ortega’s inner circle, citing human rights violations and the dismantling of democratic institutions.
Analysts warn that if the current trajectory continues, Nicaragua may further isolate itself on the global stage, deepening its political and economic crisis. Meanwhile, Catholic leaders and human rights defenders are calling for urgent international intervention and solidarity with Nicaraguans facing religious persecution.
The ongoing repression has not only shaken the country’s religious landscape but also galvanized a growing diaspora determined to advocate for change from abroad. As Ortega tightens his grip, the battle for religious freedom and civil rights in Nicaragua remains far from over.
Source : Swifteradio.com
