Communist Dictator Daniel Ortega has targeted Christians in Nicaragua’s embattled nation. In the first few weeks of the year, the regime shut down additional Christian charities. Since 2018, he has banned more than 5,400 nongovernmental organizations. He rules alongside his wife and “co-president,” Rosario Murillo. The ban was announced in the official government newspaper La Gaceta on Jan. 8.
11 of the charities were closed in a “voluntary dissolution.” These organizations include Save the Children and the Dominican Nuns Foundation of Nicaragua. According to their website, Save the Children has worked in Nicaragua since the mid-1980s. Statements from the organization indicate that it had 46 people working in Managua and Matagalpa.
The charity stated: “Save the Children’s work in Nicaragua centers on four program areas: education, health and nutrition, child rights governance, and child protection in addition to having the ability to respond to potential humanitarian situations.” Other organizations which were “voluntarily dissolved” included Churches and ministries.
Ebenezer Christian Missionary Foundation, the Fundamental Baptist Church Association of Matagalpa, and the Help for Nicaragua Foundation were all shuttered. Four specific organizations were closed for “failing to comply with their obligations.” These included the Nicaraguan House of Spirituality, Culture, History, Anthropology, Archaeology, and Art Foundation.
Other charities, such as the the Christ Is Coming Pentecost Ministry Foundation, the Comprehensive Services Association for Women, and the Río Prinzapolka Foundation were targeted as well. The decisions were made by the minister of the interior, María Amelia Coronel Kinloch. In the last year alone, approximately 1,700 nonprofit organizations were kicked out of the nation.
On Aug. 19 alone, the communist regime closed a total of 1,500 organizations. 678 of these charities were Christian. According to experts, the Ministry of the Interior has persecuted “hundreds of churches, aid groups, and other religious organizations” and closed down 315 religious organizations in 2023. We reported last year on Bishop Monsignor Rolando Álvarez who was exiled by the Nicaraguan government. Daniel Ortega banished him from Nicaragua. The bishop of the diocese of Matagalpa celebrated the Mass in Spain. The Bishop was imprisoned in August 2022 alongside other members of his diocese at the end of a two-week raid on his parish by Nicaraguan officers.
Bishop Alvarez said, “In honor of Our Lady of Sorrows, in memory of Our Lady of Hope, and on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the canonical foundation of my blessed and beloved Diocese of Matagalpa, we pray for our beloved Nicaragua.” The Bishop was imprisoned for over 500 days until the dictator exiled him to the Vatican early this year. Since being banished, he has kept a low profile.
In his absence, the Matagalpa Diocese celebrated its 100th anniversary without its bishop. The Ortega regime oppresses Christians and catholic churches are under constant surveillance. The dictator demands that all religious activities in the nation must be approved by his police force. Numerous Catholic processions and festivities have been banned.
Dictator Daniel Ortega declared “war” against Christians in Nicaragua. The communist leader has overseen a campaign of relentless persecution. The repression has dramatically worsened since 2022. Ortega has imprisoned and tortured religious figures. Two other bishops have been banished as well. Monsignor Isidoro del Carmen Mora, Bishop of Siuna, was banished in January. Monsignor Carlos Herrera, an Episcopal Leader, was deported to Guatemala as punishment for slamming local authorities who disrupted a service with loud music.