The Nicaraguan government continues its persecution of the Church. After expelling the Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the government is now closing several Catholic radio stations in the country. 

Newsroom (03/08/2022 2:40 PM Gaudium Press) The government of Nicaragua has decreed the closure of the radio station of the diocese of Matagalpa.

The government decree foresaw the closure of Radio Hermanos and a network of seven other Catholic radio stations working with the regional Bishop, Most Rev. Rolando Alvarez of Matagalpa.

‘Missing’ Licence to Operate 

According to the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications, the decision came as the Radios did not have a proper lack of license to operate.

However, as Bishop Rolando Alvarez is a critic of the Ortega government, relations between the Catholic Church and the Nicaraguan president have worsened since 2018, a year marked by demonstrations and protests against the Sandinista regime of Ortega and Murillo.

Catholic radio stations seized by Police

Heavy protests against Police took place in the afternoon of August 1, as Fr. Uriel Vallejos refused to hand over to them the parish radio and asked for help during a Facebook Live.

Next, Nicaraguan Police raided the Infant Jesus of Prague chapel in the city of Sébaco, where shots were fired in the air. Police used tear gas canisters to seize control of the radio station.

According to Father Uriel, Police wounded two parishioners, arrested several others and cut the power to the priest’s house.

A tweet from Father Uriel Vallejo said that since Tuesday morning, he and eight other people had been sheltered in the parish house.

The Catholic Church’s message

Faced with the government’s decision, the Catholic Church of Nicaragua issued a statement urging the faithful to “Continue to bend the knees next Thursday, Feast of the holy Curé d’Ars, praying for the protection and sanctification of priests and on Friday, August 5, a day of fasting and prayer, because prayer will save Nicaragua.”

The Church condemns the attack on freedom of expression and speech in Nicaragua.

Government imprisons critics

At the beginning of July, two drivers working for La Prensa, a Newspaper critical of the Sandinista regime, were arrested for unknown reasons.

Following the events, La Prensa decided to withdraw the entire editorial staff from the country, motivated by the government censorship and fearing for the integrity of the newspaper’s employees.

Massive arrests of Ortega’s critics is nothing new. The country has also witnessed the imprisonment of seven presidential candidates who attempted to run for elections in November 2021. (FM)

Compiled by Gustavo Kralj