This country is doing a religious crackdown.
The Nicaraguan government has revoked the legal status of 1,500 nonprofit organizations, including churches, as part of an ongoing crackdown in the country. This action, detailed in a recent issue of the government Gazette, La Gaceta, cites non-compliance with financial reporting requirements that span from one year to 35 years.
The Gazette notice, published on Monday, enumerates the 1,500 affected groups, among them 695 religious organizations representing Catholic, Evangelical, and Pentecostal denominations, according to CNN.
Previously, the Ortega administration had primarily targeted the Roman Catholic Church, particularly where church leaders had publicly criticized human rights violations. However, this latest move signifies a broader crackdown, now encompassing Evangelical churches, which had previously been less involved in political disputes. Martha Patricia Molina, a Nicaraguan lawyer now living in Texas after fleeing the country in 2021, described the actions as an assault on religious freedom, noting that all properties of the affected organizations are set to be confiscated.
Félix Navarrete, a Nicaraguan lawyer and activist within the Catholic Church, highlighted the role of churches in challenging the status quo and driving change in Nicaragua. Navarrete emphasized that the government fears religious leaders might inspire significant transformation through their influence.
This development aligns with the pattern of repression under President Daniel Ortega, who won a contentious fifth term in 2021. The Sandinista National Liberation Front’s regime has been marked by the suppression of dissent, including the arrest of political candidates, journalists, and activists under vaguely defined national security laws.
The government justifies the closures and property seizures with stringent financial reporting laws aimed at combating terrorism and money laundering. Critics, however, argue that these laws are used to target religious communities. A report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in June highlighted increasing repressive measures, including threats and surveillance of church activities.
Recently, seven Catholic priests were expelled to Rome. These priests, detained by the National Police in the Diocese of Matagalpa under Bishop Rolando Álvarez, were held under house arrest before being forcibly exiled. This group included prominent diocese leaders like Fathers René Vega Matamoros and Edgard Sacasa, who were active in the diocese following Bishop Álvarez’s earlier exile.
Vatican News reports that since October 2022, tensions between the government and the church have led to several groups of priests being exiled. In addition to the churches, the revocation of nonprofit status affects various other organizations, from sports clubs to activist groups.
The United Nations Human Rights Office, represented by spokesperson Liz Throssell, has condemned these actions as “deeply alarming,” citing a severe reduction in civic and religious freedoms in Nicaragua. Nada al-Nashif, U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, reported that since late June 2022, over 5,000 NGOs, media outlets, and private universities have had their legal statuses revoked, with at least 35 arrests since March targeting civic engagement.
This is part of a worldwide trend towards “humanism” and communism. Coming soon to America. They want to turn people to the state and also want the church’s money and property.
The church is supposed to be Jesus, Christ’s representation and hands upon the earth. God bless you and well done you Christian Nicaraguans for spreading the Gospel and holding the Faith.
The day will come when our Savior will come and his Kingdom shall stand forever. No matter what the Governments do throughout the world; our Lord will prevail and those who remain faithful to him shall be with Him.