Since July 26, no fewer than nine Catholic priests have been abducted by the regime of President Daniel Ortega, according to Martha Patricia Molina, a lawyer and researcher.
The kidnapped priests include:
- Monsignor Ulises Vega Matamoros
- Monsignor Edgar Sacasa Sierra
- Fr. Víctor Godoy
- Fr. Jairo Pravia Flores
- Fr. Marlon Velásquez
- Fr. Jarvin Torrez
- Fr. Raúl Villegas
These seven priests are from the Diocese of Matagalpa. Additionally, Friar Silvio Romero from the Diocese of Juigalpa and Fr. Frutos Constantino Valle Salmerón from the Diocese of Estelí have also been abducted.
Observers believe these kidnappings are part of a broader effort by the Ortega regime to silence voices critical of the government.
The repression of the Catholic Church has been ongoing, with the most notable case being Bishop Rolando Alvarez of the Diocese of Matagalpa.
A vocal human rights defender and critic of the regime, Bishop Alvarez was placed under house arrest for six months before being sentenced to 26 years in prison in 2023.
After over 500 days in detention, Bishop Alvarez was released and exiled along with 18 other priests. He is now in Rome.
Nicaraguan media reported on January 14 that these priests left the country following an agreement between the Nicaraguan government and the Vatican for their release and exile.
Human rights activists in Nicaragua view the arrests and deportations of priests as part of the regime's attempt to pressure the Vatican into conceding control over episcopal appointments to the government.
The expulsion of priests is also seen as a move to make the regime feel more secure.
"Life in Nicaragua is hell because surveillance is brutal," said a priest in exile, speaking on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press on February 11. "You can’t say anything against the government."
Priests in exile often speak anonymously to protect their families and communities back in Nicaragua.
In January 2024, Pope Francis condemned the crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, noting that at least 12 priests and a bishop were detained shortly before he made his statement.
It’s worth noting that Nicaraguan Vice President Rosario Murillo is Ortega's wife.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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