Nicaragua Continues Crackdown on Government Critics; Roman Catholic Bishop Under Investigation

Nicaragua is continuing its efforts to crack down on members of the opposition, independent media, or government critics in general, closing several radio stations owned by the Roman Catholic Church.

On Friday, Nicaragua's police said they have started an investigation against Bishop Rolando Alvarez, head of the Matagalpa diocese.

Alvarez is one of the leading Catholic figures in Nicaragua who has been an outspoken critic of the government of President Daniel Ortega. The bishop also ran some of the Church-owned radio stations that the Ortega government recently shut down.

Bishop Rolando Alvarez Home in Nicaragua Under Siege, Forced to Celebrate Mass in His House

According to the Associated Press, the Nicaraguan police announced that they were investigating the bishop for "organizing violent groups," and inciting them to carry out "acts of hate."

Police noted that several others were also under investigation, and warned that they were not allowed to leave their homes while the probe was being carried out.

Police have surrounded and cordoned off Alvarez's residence on Thursday. He prayed in the street and approached the police with a crucifix.

On Friday, the police blocked his attempt to go to the cathedral. He was instead forced to celebrate Mass from inside his house. He had not been allowed to leave his home since.

The police came to the bishop's home after the first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo referenced and criticized Alvarez for "sins against spirituality" and "the exhibition of hate."

Daniel Ortega's other allies within the Sandinista National Liberation Front party have also accused the bishop of trying to incite violence and disorder.

Congressional leader for Sandinista party Wilfredo Navarro claimed that Alvarez tried leading a "failed coup attempt" in April 2018 and accused the Roman Catholic Church of stockpiling weapons.

The police seemed to have used the accusations from Navarro and Murillo as the groundwork for their cases against Bishop Rolando Alvarez.

Nicaraguan Government Pressuring Catholic Church Since 2018

According to DW, Nicaragua has been putting the Catholic Church under pressure since 2018. It started when opposition protests in 2018 were met with violent repression that resulted in the deaths of 355 people.

Since then, the Nicaraguan government has moved against several Church-led organizations. One of their most infamous acts was expelling nuns from Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity order.

A report by one of the country's largest newspaper publications, La Prensa, also led to a crackdown by the government on the newspaper's staff.

Several employees were arrested while other staff members, including journalists, editors, photographers, and other personnel were forced to flee the country and report from abroad.

Ortega and his wife cruised to victory in last year's elections, mainly because he jailed every single person running against him.

The United States and the European Union called his victory a sham. He also repressed local mayors belonging to opposition parties, deposed them, and replaced them with allies from his Sandinista party.

According to France 24, at least 180 political prisoners have been detained by Nicaraguan authorities.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Bishop Rolando Alvarez Denounces Persecution by the Nicaraguan Police - From ACN