President Ortega’s govt tightened grip on Catholic Church amid continued crackdown on civil society; tensions with foreign partners persisted. Hostilities against religious figures increased, notably targeting parishes and bishops in Matagalpa department (north). Police 2 Aug surrounded Divina Misericordia parish in Sébaco municipality, placing priest and some parishioners under siege until 4 Aug. Police 3 Aug surrounded Matagalpa diocese, blockading Bishop Rolando Álvarez, vocal critic of President Ortega, and some of his associates for two days. Authorities 5 Aug opened investigation against Álvarez for “promoting hate” and placed him under house arrest; 19 Aug forcibly entered Episcopal Palace of Matagalpa diocese, arresting Álvarez and at least seven associates. Authorities 12 Aug banned Our Lady of Fatima procession, organised by Catholic Church to take place 13 August in capital Managua, citing “internal security” concerns. In Mulukukú municipality, North Caribbean Autonomous Region (north east), police 14 Aug arrested Priest Óscar Benavides. Govt continued to shutter civil society organisations and media outlets. Notably, authorities 1-25 Aug shut down television channels RB3 and Nueva Guinea TV and 15 radio stations, including ten belonging to Matagalpa diocese; notably, 25 Aug shut down “Radio Stereo Fe” Catholic radio station, belonging to diocese of Estelí, after that diocese 23 Aug criticised govt for persecution of Church. National Assembly 9-11 Aug revoked legal status of 200 NGOs, 24 Aug revoked 100 more, bringing total number of NGOs closed since 2018 to over 1,450. Organization of American States (OAS) 12 Aug adopted resolution condemning “harassment and arbitrary restrictions placed on religious organizations” and urged govt to “cease harassment and intimidation of the independent press”. Meanwhile, Inter-American Court of Human Rights 19 Aug demanded immediate release of Álvarez and others “arbitrarily” detained in Nicaragua; UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet same day condemned raid of Episcopal Palace of Matagalpa and “new wave of harassment” against members of Catholic Church; Pope Francis 21 Aug expressed concern over situation and called for dialogue.

As crackdown on opposition leaders and civil society organisations persisted, new figures showed dramatic increase in number of Nicaraguans heading for U.S. In ongoing crackdown on President Ortega’s rivals, security forces 2-4 July raided five town halls headed by Citizens for Freedom opposition party, whose legal status govt revoked in August 2021. Authorities ousted democratically elected mayors and councillors from ruling Sandinista party took control of municipalities. In response, opposition organisation Blue and White National Unity 6 July called for boycott of November municipal elections. Meanwhile, UN Committee against Torture 14 July said Ortega’s govt had “systematically violated human rights” during 2018 protests and called on authorities to investigate allegations that members of political opposition were tortured. Govt continued closures of civil society organisations (CSOs) and media outlets. National Assembly 13-14 July revoked legal status of 200 CSOs and 27 July revoked 100 more, bringing total number banned since Dec 2018 to around 1,168. Police 6 July arrested two drivers from La Prensa media outlet and then raided homes of other staff who were covering expulsion from country of 18 nuns belonging to Mother Teresa’s order (which lost its legal status late June); La Prensa 21 July said its staff had fled country for fear of being detained but that its work would continue. Amid crackdown, tens of thousands of Nicaraguans continued to flee country. U.S. border authorities 18 July reported apprehension of 84,055 Nicaraguans at U.S. southern border between January and June 2022, 358% increase from same period in 2021. On international front, Nicaragua and China 12 July signed agreement on preferential tariffs for agricultural products, raising prospect of free trade agreement in near future. Ortega 19 July ruled out any possibility of dialogue with U.S., saying it would be like “putting a noose around your neck”. Govt 28 July withdrew its approval of Washington’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Managua, Hugo Rodríguez, whom it accused of making “interfering and disrespectful” remarks. U.S. State Dept 20 July included 23 Nicaraguan judges and prosecutors in its list of corrupt actors in Central America, known as Engel list.

Crackdown on civil society organisations continued apace, U.S. and EU took further steps to condemn govt, and parliament authorised entry of Russian troops to combat illicit activities at sea. National Assembly 2 June cancelled legal permits of 93 NGOs, 10 and 13 June 26 more international NGOs, 15-16 June 191 national NGOS, 26 June 101 more NGOs, bringing total number banned since Dec 2018 to around 760. National Police 10 June raided and closed media outlet “Trinchera de la Noticia” in capital Managua. Persecution of religious leaders increased. Notably, police 1 June arrested Catholic priest Manuel Salvador García in Nandaime town, Granada (centre), on charges of aggression against woman, becoming first Church representative detained since Ortega returned to power. After said woman refused to press charges against García, judge 22 June sentenced him to two years in prison for aggression against five others. Govt 28 June ordered closure of Catholic radio station in diocese of Matagalpa (north), making it second Catholic Church-owned station to be banned from broadcasting in last two months. U.S. and EU took additional measures to pressure govt. Notably, European Parliament 9 June approved resolution condemning systematic repression of opposition; U.S. Sec of State Antony Blinken 13 June announced visa restrictions on 93 individuals accused of undermining democracy, including judges, lawmakers and govt officials. U.S. Treasury 17 June sanctioned state-owned mining company Empresa Nicaraguense de Minas (ENIMINAS) and its president, Ruy Delgado López. Meanwhile, National Assembly 14 June ratified authorisation for entry of 180 Russian troops into country to participate in operations against illicit activities in Caribbean and Pacific Ocean.

Govt’s crackdown on opponents continued amid growing international isolation, and senior Iranian oil official pledged support to country. Authorities continued to repress civil society organisations. Notably, authorities 4 May effectively shut down 50 NGOs, another 44 on 18-19 May, and 83 on 31 May. Number of organisations closed in 2022 has now surpassed 250. Govt also increased persecution of religious leaders. Notably, Matagalpa bishop Rolando Álvarez 19 May announced hunger strike in protest against govt surveillance; and govt 20 May shut down catholic TV channel handled by Episcopal Conference. U.S. media outlet The New York Times 5 May reported that Laureano Ortega, son of Daniel Ortega, and Rosario Murillo quietly reached out to U.S. “shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine”. Meanwhile, during visit to Nicaragua, Iranian oil minister Javab Owji Hom 6 May announced that Iran would supply country with oil and would look into possibility of reactivating investments in refinery called “Bolívar's ultimate dream”. However, Nicaragua remained largely isolated from international community, with foreign leaders throughout month denouncing Ortega’s repressive tactics. Notably, EU High Representative Joseph Borrell 4 May described Ortega’s regime as “one of the most repressive on the planet”, adding “we will do everything we can to isolate Ortega”. Permanent Council of Organization of American States (OAS) 13 May passed resolution with 29 votes calling on Nicaraguan authorities to return OAS offices seized in late April.

Amid widespread condemnation of crackdown on dissent, Managua broke relations with Organization of American States, and authorities scored victory in maritime dispute with Colombia. Govt 24 April expelled representative of Organization of American States (OAS) in capital Managua, withdrew its representatives to regional body and said it will no longer participate in any OAS-related activity. Govt also expropriated building where OAS embassy was located, and announced creation of “Museum of Infamy” on site instead. Sec Gen Luis Almagro 27 April said Nicaragua’s move was unprecedented, including during times of worst dictatorships in the Americas. Move follows widespread international condemnation of country’s human rights record, as 38 European Parliament members 4 April sent letter to President Ortega expressing concern about human rights situation, demanding “immediate and unconditional release of the 169 political prisoners”; OAS Sec Gen Almagro same day had also urged international community to “increase diplomatic pressure” on Ortega to end “system of repression and torture”. U.S. State Department 12 April published 2021 Report on Human Rights Practices, denouncing how Ortega “awarded himself a fourth consecutive term” and arbitrarily imprisoned “nearly 40 opposition figures”. Despite international condemnation, repression continued during month. Mechanism for the Recognition of Political Prisoners of Nicaragua 5 April said at least 181 political opponents still held in prison for political reasons, some since 2018; regional civil society network Voces del Sur 13 April reported at least 103 attacks on press freedom during March; Parliament 20 April cancelled legal credentials of 25 NGOs; at least 164 have been cancelled since Nov 2018. Meanwhile, Managua scored victory in maritime dispute with Bogotá after International Court of Justice 21 April ruled Colombian activities in Nicaraguan marine zone violated Nicaraguan sovereignty, ordered Colombia to stop interfering in Nicaragua’s waters. Govt 7 April voted against UN General Assembly resolution suspending Russia from UN Human Rights Council (see Ukraine).

Crackdown on opposition leaders continued amid widespread international criticism over human rights record and state representatives abroad speaking out against govt’s moves. Trials of opponents continued with over 35 sentenced during last two months, including court 1 March convicting Sandinista dissident Irving Larios of conspiracy to undermine national integrity, and 3 March sentencing seven opposition leaders to between eight and 13 years in prison on same charge. Court 11 March also sentenced for misappropriation and money laundering presidential hopeful Cristiana Chamorro and former lawmaker Pedro Joaquín Chamorro to eight and nine years’ imprisonment respectively. Political prisoners 28 March held protest from their cells in El Chipote prison, demanding better detention conditions and release. Meanwhile, crackdown on civil society persisted: National Assembly 17 March cancelled operating licences of 25 NGOs. Internationally, several voices raised the alarm. UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet 7 March identified “serious violations of civil and political rights” in 2021 Nicaragua report; EU 14 March warned sentencing of political prisoners in closed-door trials “violated due process and Nicaragua’s own penal code” and urged govt to “immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners”. International isolation also deepened. Notably, Vatican representative, Msgr Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, who remained one of few diplomatic channels open, 6 March left country; Vatican 12 March said it regretted that Ortega’s govt had basically requested Sommertag to leave, qualifying it as a “grave and unjustified” decision. Govt 24 March also expelled representative of International Red Cross Committee. U.S. State Dept 9 March added nine Nicaraguan officials to list of “corrupt and anti-democratic actors”; Authorities 10 March withdrew Nicaraguan ambassador to Spain for alleged “pressure and interference threats”. Arturo McFields, Nicaragua’s ambassador to Organization of American States, 23 denounced in public forum Ortega govt for its unfair treatment of political prisoners; govt immediately argued McFields was not its representative, and proceeded to remove him one day after. Lawyer Paul Reichler, Nicaragua adviser before International Court of Justice for decades, 2 March also curbed ties with govt in letter published 27 March by news outlet Confidencial.

Authorities continued trials of dozens of opponents in closed-door trials and cancelled status of several universities and NGOs sparking international condemnation. Public prosecutors 1 Feb resumed trials of around 40 opposition figures and activists arrested in run-up to 7 Nov 2021 presidential election; at least 26 found guilty of conspiracy and undermining national integrity after closed door trials, including three presidential hopefuls. Death of former Sandinista guerrilla fighter Hugo Torres in prison on 12 Feb put conditions of political prisoners in spotlight. While officials said Torres’ death resulted from illness, prisoners’ relatives had previously raised concerns about his poor detention conditions; UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 13 Feb said Torres had been subjected to “criminal trial without guarantees” in “inhumane” conditions; EU 14 Feb called for independent investigation, and U.S. same day called for all political prisoners to be released; Organization of American States 18 Feb passed resolution denouncing “human suffering” and requested release of political prisoners. Prosecutor’s office same day granted house arrest to three other political prisoners with precarious health conditions, and 24 Feb to another two. National Assembly 2 Feb cancelled legal status of five Nicaraguan universities and 11 NGOs for allegedly contravening transparency norms; 15 Feb cancelled status of six more NGOs and 16 Feb of six international NGOs; 23 Feb cancelled licenses of two more universities. National Assembly 7 Feb approved creation of three state universities, from assets of cancelled universities. Interior ministry 3 Feb said seven foreign academic programs shut down. Economist Investigative Unit 9 Feb released Democracy Index showing Nicaragua as one of most undemocratic countries after falling 20 places. Coalition comprising 16 national and international organisations, Collective 46/2, 25 Feb called on UN Human Rights Council to establish accountability mechanism in Nicaragua. Nicaragua 6 Feb denounced violation of maritime space by El Salvador naval force in Gulf of Fonseca, deemed it provocative; El Salvador next day affirmed space under its sovereignty.

Amid growing international isolation, President Ortega’s govt continued authoritarian rift, operated rapprochement with China, and initiated steps toward dialogue with private sector. Daniel Ortega sworn in 10 Jan for fifth time (fourth consecutive) as president of Nicaragua following Nov elections widely perceived as rigged, and widespread criticism by international community. Those attending ceremony included Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and Honduras’ outgoing president, Juan Orlando Hernández; former Salvadoran Presidents Mauricio Funes and Sánchez Cerén, both nationalised Nicaraguans and accused of corruption in their country, also joined; Iranian Mohsen Rezai, searched by Interpol for his role in 1994 bombing of Buenos Aires AMIA Jewish centre, also attended, prompting condemnation by Argentine and Organization of American States (OAS) 11 Jan and 19 Jan respectively. U.S. Treasury Department 10 Jan sanctioned six officials and revoked 116 visas. Costa Rica, Panama and Dominican Republic FMs 11 Jan labeled Nicaraguan crisis “urgent priority” for region. EU 10 Jan sanctioned seven officials and three state institutions including family members of Ortega and VP Rosario Murillo, police and Supreme Electoral Council; Switzerland 24 Jan joined EU sanctions. OAS Sec Gen Almagro 19 Jan reported to Permanent Council that govt did not respond to requests to allow visit of OAS delegation. In face of growing international sanctions, Nicaragua strengthened relations with China; notably, 10 Jan signed four bilateral cooperation and diplomacy agreements with Beijing. Meanwhile, some 70 opposition organisations, inside and outside the country, 9 Jan appointed seven-member National Council for the Democratic Transition. Govt continued to stifle dissent. National Assembly 19 Jan cancelled legal status of three university associations, and Chinandega criminal district judge 18 Jan sentenced for first time Nicaraguan citizen for violating cybercrime law. Judicial authorities 26 Jan reactivated trials of several political prisoners charged with “treason law”. Meanwhile, VP Murillo 19 Jan announced govt will meet with private sector representatives; business association COSEP 27 Jan asked Ortega to establish dialogue with no preconditions.

Amid ongoing stifling of dissent widely condemned internationally, President Ortega sought rapprochement with China and Russia. After Episcopal Conference in late Nov offered to mediate possible dialogue between govt and opposition, Auxiliary Bishop of Managua, Silvio José Báez (who went into exile in 2019), 5 Dec said “it is impossible to dialogue without re-establishing civil liberties”. Over 35 representatives of opposition and civil society organisations exiled in Costa Rica 7 Dec said conditions for dialogue with Ortega’s “illegitimate” govt not met. Meanwhile, authorities 13-14 Dec shut down 11 NGOs. As Ortega’s govt faced increasing international isolation, delegation comprising sons of Ortega and VP and first lady Rosario Murillo 6 Dec met Russian Deputy FM Sergei Ryabkov in Russia’s capital Moscow to seek to expand bilateral cooperation; Murillo same day asked U.S. and EU to lift sanctions on officials. Govt 9 Dec cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan, said People’s Republic of China “is the only legitimate government” as “Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory”. Attorney General’s Office 26 Dec seized Taiwan’s embassy premises and handed them to China. Organization of American States (OAS) 8 Dec approved resolution urging Ortega to release all political prisoners and mandating OAS Sec Gen Luis Almagro to lead diplomatic efforts to convince govt to accept OAS good offices mission; Almagro 17 Dec requested extension of deadline until mid-Jan to report on progress; OAS mission would seek to facilitate implementation of comprehensive electoral reforms, repeal all legislation restricting political participation, and launch inclusive dialogue on new elections. EU Parliament 16 Dec adopted resolution notably calling for EU sanctions on Ortega. U.S. President Biden 21 Dec announced Nicaragua will only receive humanitarian and trade-related aid in 2022.

Country’s international isolation reached unprecedented levels after President Ortega secured fourth term in elections widely condemned as sham. Supreme Electoral Council 10 Nov said Ortega had won 75.9% of votes in 7 Nov presidential election; also said turnout reached 65.3%. However, NGO Urnas Abiertas, which deployed 1,450 observers to 563 polling stations across country, 7 Nov estimated turnout much lower at 18.5%. Vote drew widespread international condemnation, further isolating country. U.S. President Biden 7 Nov condemned election as “sham” and 10 Nov signed into law “Renacer Act”, expanding sanctions on key members of Ortega’s govt and restricting multilateral bank lending. U.S. Treasury Dept 15 Nov sanctioned Nicaraguan public ministry and nine senior govt officials, and Biden next day banned all members of Nicaraguan govt from entering U.S. Meanwhile, Organization of American States (OAS) 12 Nov passed resolution stating elections “were not free, fair or transparent, and lacked democratic legitimacy”. Govt 19 Nov announced Nicaragua’s withdrawal from OAS. Inter-American Court of Human Rights 22 Nov declared Nicaragua in “contempt” for refusing to comply with court’s recent orders to release 21 political prisoners; warned it will refer Nicaragua’s decision to OAS General Assembly. Meanwhile, repression of opponents continued. Urnas Abiertas 12 Nov reported arrest of 35 opponents around polling day, including 23 on eve of election. Unidentified armed men 22 Nov arrested former Ambassador to OAS and outspoken Ortega critic Edgard Parrales in capital Managua. New head of Episcopal Conference, Bishop Carlos Enrique Herrera Gutiérrez, same day stated Church’s readiness to mediate talks between govt and opposition.