News Desk

The Advocate Post:

Nicaragua has canceled the registration of 1,500 non-profit organizations, marking the latest development in a prolonged crackdown in the small Central American country.

The organizations affected, which include numerous religious groups, are accused of not submitting their financial reports for periods ranging from one to 35 years, as stated in a notice published in the government gazette, La Gaceta. The announcement has led to the closure of various associations, including those focused on sports such as basketball, tennis, and soccer, as well as groups dedicated to health, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, legal services, and veterans’ support. Over 400 of the affected organizations are religious, primarily Christian.

Earlier this month, Nicaragua also revoked the legal status of Caritas from the Diocese of Matagalpa due to alleged administrative issues, according to Vatican News. This diocese is led by Bishop Rolando Alvarez, a prominent government critic who is currently in exile after being convicted of conspiracy and treason.

Civil liberties in Nicaragua have significantly diminished under the long-standing rule of authoritarian President Daniel Ortega, who secured a fifth term in 2021.

In recent years, Ortega’s government has detained many opposition presidential candidates, journalists, and human rights activists under an ambiguous national security law.