Nicaraguan Government Cracks Down on Catholic Church: Four More Priests Arrested
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has intensified his crackdown on the Catholic Church and political opponents, with the arrest of four more priests. The latest detainees include Mikel Monterrey, Gerardo Rodriguez, Raul Zamora, and Monsignor Miguel Mantica, who hails from one of the wealthiest families in the country.
The arrested priests, all from the Archdiocese of Managua, were taken from their homes, according to a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Nicaraguan government and police have yet to respond to requests for comment. However, La Prensa, one of the last remaining newspapers in the country, has confirmed the arrests.
Two of the priests, Monterrey and Zamora, had previously opened the doors of their parish to students from two universities that were attacked by the government in 2018. Their willingness to support the students appears to have made them targets of the Ortega regime.
This latest wave of arrests brings the total number of detained priests to 12, including Bishop Isidro Mora. Notably, in August 2022, Bishop Rolando Alvarez was arrested and sentenced to 26 years in prison.
President Ortega has long accused the Catholic Church of organizing and orchestrating a coup. The bishops had previously called for justice for those who lost their lives during the 2018 protests and demanded early elections.
The crackdown on the Catholic Church and the detainment of priests signal a concerning erosion of religious freedom and human rights in Nicaragua. It also raises serious questions about the Ortega regime’s commitment to inclusivity and democracy.
As the Nicaraguan government remains silent on the matter, international organizations and human rights advocates continue to express their deep concern for the wellbeing of the detained priests and the overall state of religious freedom in Nicaragua.
The latest arrests have only served to further fuel the flames of resistance among those opposing Ortega’s government. As uncertainty and tension grip the Central American nation, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a swift and just resolution to this alarming situation.
Note: As a responsible news agency, we will continue to monitor the developments of this story and provide updates as they emerge.
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