The Catholic Radio Station had been in operation for over 40 years. The closure of Radio María is likely to be seen as further evidence of the government’s authoritarian tendencies and its disregard for basic human rights.
Managua – Nicaragua (20/07/2024 12:09, Gaudium Press) Last week, the government of Daniel Ortega shut down Radio Maria, a Catholic radio station that had been operating in the Central American nation for more than four decades. The Radio was known for promoting piety and Christian doctrine accross the country. The decision was part of a broader move by the government to cancel the legal status of several non-profit organizations, including some evangelical churches, in a renewed crack down on religious liberties.
Frozen bank accounts and confiscation of assets
According to reports, the decision to shut down Radio María was announced in the government’s official newspaper, La Gaceta. The publication stated that Radio Maria had failed to provide financial information for the period between 2019 and 2023, and that its board of directors’ tenure had expired in November 2021.
Recently, the Catholic Radio Station was coerced to reduce the daily programming from 24 hours to only 14. The decision was motivated by the impossibility of receiving donations, after the Government froze the two bank accounts belonging to the institution. On top of the financial block, the Nicaraguan Interior Ministry ordered the confiscation of all assets belonging to Radio Maria.
A renewed crack down on religious liberties
Meanwhile, the move has met strong criticism from religious leaders and human rights advocates, who see it as an attack on freedom of expression and religious liberty.
The shutdown of Radio María is just one more incident of the increasing repression of the Catholic Church and other religious groups in Nicaragua under the Ortega government. The regime has been accused of harassing and intimidating religious leaders who speak out against its policies, and of using the legal system to silence dissent. The closure of Radio María is likely to be seen as further evidence of the government’s authoritarian tendencies and its disregard for basic human rights.
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
