Daniel Ortega

The Latest

"What the dictatorship is doing is suffocating, more and more, the Catholic Church," says lawyer and researcher Martha Patricia Molina.

Ortega dictatorship in Nicaragua deports group of foreign priests and nuns

Sep 4, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Lawyer and researcher Martha Patricia Molina has reported that the dictatorship in Nicaragua has deported a group of foreign priests... Read more

The Metropolitan Cathedral Santiago Apóstol and the National Palace in Managua, Nicaragua

Nicaraguan dictatorship shuts down more nonprofit Catholic organizations, evangelical churches

Aug 30, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The closure of the organizations was announced Aug. 29 through the official government newspaper La Gaceta. Read more

Emilio Blasco, director of the Center for Global Affairs at the University of Navarra in Spain, says Daniel Ortega persecutes the Catholic Church because “he perceives it as a stronghold of opposition, of people who think for themselves and that he cannot dominate as he dominates other sectors of society.”

Experts explain why dictatorship in Nicaragua abducts and exiles priests

Aug 13, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The campaign against the Catholic Church dates back to 2018, when Church leaders expressed support for the people who were... Read more

Eleven Christian leaders were sentenced to prison and ordered to pay $880 million on March 19, 2024, by the dictatorship in Nicaragua.

Nicaragua dictatorship sentences 11 Christian leaders to prison, fines them $880 million

Apr 8, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The trial took place in wake of the leaders’ success in bringing together thousands of people to pray in public... Read more

CNA

Dictatorship in Nicaragua uses confiscated nuns’ home as migration office

Feb 7, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The former house of the Sisters of the Fraternity of the Poor Ones of Jesus Christ is in the city... Read more

Daniel Ortega.

Despite persecution, ‘the Church is still alive in Nicaragua,’ priest says

Jan 30, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Despite being persecuted by Daniel Ortega’s regime for years, “the Church is still alive in Nicaragua,” a priest from the... Read more

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Dictatorship in Nicaragua expels three priests; exiled bishop meets with Pope Francis

Jan 22, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Researcher Martha Patricia Molina reported that the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega expelled from Nicaragua three priests from the same... Read more

Daniel Ortega.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua cancels legal personhood of 10 Catholic and evangelical NGOs

Jan 19, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The measure affects 16 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), 10 of which are Catholic and evangelical institutions. Read more

Auxiliary Bishop Silvio Báez, at right in the background, and Father Edwing Román, foreground center, both of the Archdiocese of Managua in Nicaragua, process into St. Vincent de Paul Church in Exposition Park in Los Angeles for Mass on Jan. 6, 2024.

Hundreds pack Los Angeles church as exiled bishop, priest speak against Nicaragua regime

Jan 14, 2024

By Theresa Cisneros

Auxiliary Bishop Silvio Báez of Managua and Father Edwing Román came to L.A. days after authorities there arrested several priests. Read more

CNA

Report: Over 130 Catholic priests and religious arrested, kidnapped, or murdered in 2023

Jan 10, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

Throughout 2023, more than 130 Catholic priests and religious were either arrested, kidnapped, or murdered, according to a new report. Read more

Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, the archbishop of Managua, Nicaragua, on Jan. 6, 2024, ordained nine new priests in the midst of one of the worst waves of persecution against the Catholic Church in the country.

Ordination of 9 new priests represents hope for Church in Nicaragua

Jan 9, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes of Managua, Nicaragua, on Saturday ordained nine new priests in the midst of one of the worst... Read more

CNA

UN calls on Nicaragua to disclose where it is holding abducted Bishop Isidoro Mora

Jan 8, 2024

By Eduardo Berdejo

“We urge the government of Nicaragua to urgently report the whereabouts of Bishop Mora, a victim of forced disappearance for... Read more

A doctor carries out a medical examination of Bishop Rolando Álvarez  on Jan. 2, 2024.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua posts photos of Bishop Álvarez after U.S. calls for his release

Jan 3, 2024

By Diego López Marina

The dictatorship on Jan. 2 released recent images of the Bishop Rolando Álvarez shortly after the United States government demanded... Read more

Cathedral of Managua, Nicaragua.

UPDATE: 4 priests arrested in 2 days by Nicaraguan dictatorship

Dec 29, 2023

By Andrés Henríquez

“We can denote this last year as the year with the most attacks against the Catholic Church in the recent... Read more

Mnsgr. Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega is bishop of the Diocese of Siuna, Nicaragua.

Second bishop detained by the dictatorship in Nicaragua

Dec 21, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The Nicaraguan police arrested on Dec. 20 the bishop of Siuna, Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega. Read more

Pope Francis and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida.

Sen. Marco Rubio asks Pope Francis to call for release of bishop imprisoned in Nicaragua

Dec 15, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

In a Dec. 13 letter to Pope Francis, Rubio asked the pontiff to intercede on behalf of the 57-year-old bishop... Read more

Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Witnesses testify to torture by Nicaraguan dictatorship at hearing on imprisoned Catholic bishop 

Dec 1, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Among the witnesses testifying at the hearing titled “An Urgent Appeal to Let Bishop Álvarez Go” were several Nicaraguan exiles.  Read more

Some photographs of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez disseminated by the dictatorship of Nicaragua in November 2023.

Nicaraguan dictatorship releases new photos, video of imprisoned Bishop Álvarez

Nov 30, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

In response to demands for proof that Bishop Rolando Álvarez is still alive, Nicaraguan officials released new images of the... Read more

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Dictatorship in Nicaragua cancels registration of 25 institutions including the Franciscans

Oct 27, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The Minister of the Interior said the liquid and fixed assets of 17 of the organizations will now be turned... Read more

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Nicaragua claims that it freed 12 priests after an agreement with the Vatican

Oct 19, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The Ortega regime announced Oct. 18 that the release of the priests took place “after fruitful conversations with the Holy... Read more