Nicaragua is on the blacklist of countries that violate religious freedom

First Amendment: 03/12/2022 – 17:32

This was stated by the US State Department in Washington, which adds that violations of religious freedom “sow division, undermine economic security, and threaten political stability and peace.” With this, the way is open for new sanctions eventually.

RFI spoke with Martha Patricia Molina, attorney and author of “Nicaragua a Persecuted Church” who noted that it was clear that the Biden government had decided to include Nicaragua on the list for everything that had happened with the Catholic Church in recent years. .

“It was clear that the United States blacklisted Nicaragua for being a country that engages in criminal persecution against the Catholic Church. As of April 2018, there have been 396 attacks against the Catholic Church, not only against priests and bishops, but also against churches and non-profit organizations.. .[…]He confirmed.

For the Nicaraguan lawyer, Daniel Ortega’s government response may be even more violent against religious organizations. “At this moment, I present the third report on ‘Nicaragua persecuted Church’, which means that attacks are increasing. What is expected is that attacks against the Catholic Church are increasing, we have a kidnapped bishop, and we know nothing at all”.

This bishop is none other than Rolando Alvarez, who was arrested at the beginning of 2022, according to Molina, that he was kidnapped for “110 days” and until now the charges are unknown, nor is his health or judicial status.

Cuba and Nicaragua are on the list of “Countries of Special Concern,” meaning both countries, already under US sanctions, could face additional measures.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has kept all countries of special interest on the blacklist since 2021: China, Eritrea, Iran, Burma, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

And Nicaragua’s president, Daniel Ortega, has toughened the Catholic Church, which he accuses of supporting the 2018 protests against his government, which were brutally repressed, leaving more than 300 dead and thousands exiled.