The Political Network for Values condemns the persecution that dictator Daniel Ortega has unleashed against the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. The attacks have intensified with particular viciousness in recent weeks against the faithful of the Diocese of Matagalpa and its bishop Ronaldo Álvarez, whom they seek to exile, they have besieged him in the curial house and impede him to celebrate mass for his community.
In the last four years, the Sandinista dictatorship perpetrated more than 250 attacks against Catholics: it expelled the nuncio Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag; exiled Silvio Báez, auxiliary bishop of Managua, and several priests; imprisoned Father Manuel Garcia; expelled the Sisters of Charity; closed radio stations, attacked and threatened priests and faithful with death; attacked, desecrated and burned temples. Everything, because the Church has not bowed to the regime.
In Nicaragua there is no freedom and human rights are systematically violated: the elections were fraudulent, there are dozens of opponents imprisoned, a thousand citizen organizations closed, 150 exiled journalists, dozens of communication channels closed, and more than half a million deaths because of repression since 2018. We feel solidarity with all the families of the victims.
We ask the Organization of American States and its Human Rights System for a more energetic position, and a firmer and more effective articulation.
Finally, we offer our full support to the politicians who are members of our network in Nicaragua, as well as to all our friends and allies who, from the front line, defend fundamental freedoms despite their darkness.
Madrid. August 11, 2022.
