The Nicaraguan government’s intensifying crackdown on the Catholic Church has claimed six more priests in the past two days, bringing the total number detained since December 20th to 11, according to news reports and opposition figures.
President Daniel Ortega, who once led the revolutionary overthrow of a US-backed regime, has steadily transitioned into an authoritarian figure since returning to power in 2007. His consolidation of power through silencing dissent, jailing rivals, and controlling state institutions has now extended to a direct clash with the Church.
The names of the six priests arrested since Friday were released by Nicaraguan news outlets operating in Costa Rica, citing church sources and exiled human rights lawyers. Bishop Isidoro Mora is among the 11 clergy members detained since December 20th.
This continued repression comes against the backdrop of a broader government crackdown on civil society. Over 3,000 associations, NGOs, and unions have been shut down since the 2018 protests that challenged Ortega’s rule. Hundreds of critics, including potential presidential challengers, have been detained since 2021.
The closure of the Franciscan order’s local office in October further exemplifies the escalating tensions between the Church and the state. These tensions reached a boiling point during the 2018 protests, when the government accused churches of harbouring anti-government demonstrators.
The deteriorating relationship with the Vatican adds another layer of complexity to Nicaragua’s internal struggles. With escalating human rights concerns and international condemnation, the future of religious freedom and free speech under Ortega’s regime remains uncertain.
