Over a dozen have been jailed.
Nicaragua has detained about a dozen priests in what is being described as a “renewed crackdown” on the Catholic Church. The priests, mainly leaders from the diocese formerly overseen by exiled Bishop Rolando Álvarez, were arrested over a span of several days. Among the first detained was 79-year-old Father Frutos Constantino Valle Salmerón, who was apprehended on July 26 for allegedly ordaining deacons without permission. Suffering from diabetes and hypertension, he fell ill during his arrest and was placed under house arrest at the National Inter-Diocesan Seminary of Our Lady of Fátima.
Following Father Frutos’ detention, two senior church officials from the Diocese of Matagalpa, Fathers Ulises René Vega Matamoros and Edgard Sacasa, were also detained on August 1. These priests had assumed leadership roles in the diocese after the exile of Bishop Álvarez earlier in the year. Over the next two days, more priests from Matagalpa were detained and placed under house arrest, including Father Jairo Pravia, Vicar Víctor Godoy, and several Franciscan friars.
On August 5, the National Police arrested Father Jarvin Tórrez, rector of the Matagalpa seminary, along with Father Raúl Francisco Villegas and Maron Velásquez Flores from other local parishes. In total, at least 13 Catholic leaders were detained within a week, with the Vatican News confirming these arrests. The Diocese of Matagalpa, previously served by 70 priests, has seen a significant reduction in clergy due to exile and deaths, according to Nicaraguan lawyer Martha Patricia.
The UK-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has called for the unconditional release of all detained religious leaders and political prisoners in Nicaragua. CSW’s Founding President, Mervyn Thomas, condemned the Nicaraguan government’s actions, urging the international community to hold the Ortega regime accountable for ongoing human rights violations, including the targeting of religious leaders and suppression of civil society.
Tensions between the Catholic Church and President Ortega’s government have escalated, particularly after Bishop Álvarez and other Catholic leaders were exiled following negotiations with the Vatican. The U.S. State Department has highlighted Nicaragua’s severe religious freedom violations, affecting both Catholics and Evangelicals. Recent years have seen numerous religious figures flee the country due to threats or government actions, underscoring the deteriorating state of religious and civil rights in Nicaragua.