Nicaragua: Bishop Rolando Alvarez Freed While Citizens Remain Discontented During Sandinista Revolution Anniversary

Nicaragua has now freed one of President Daniel Ortega's biggest critics, Matagpala Bishop Rolando Alvarez. However, this comes as the Sandinista Revolution's anniversary is marred with discontent among the citizenry.

The Ortega regime is regarded as one of the most brutal dictatorships still going on today, with the strongman getting his start during the Sandinista Revolution. Since Ortega regained the presidency, however, it has been marred with human rights violations and crackdowns on dissent.

One of those imprisoned is the Bishop of Matagpala, Rolando Alvarez. He has now been freed, though Nicaragua is still in talks with the Vatican over the country's treatment of the clergy, as well as Catholics.

A diplomatic source told Reuters that this might be a possible turning point in the Ortega regime's controversial crackdown on the Catholic Church. The two sides have been negotiating the bishop's release, as well as the possibility of him being expelled from the country and being sent into exile.

Alvarez has previously declined an offer to be exiled to the US. However, should Alvarez decline exile again, he could be sent back to prison, according to the source.

The Nicaraguan government has targeted the Roman Catholic Church after several local churches helped hide anti-government protesters during the deadly crackdowns in 2018. The country imprisoned priests, deported foreigners, and even banned Catholic processions during Holy Week.

Bishop Alvarez is also one of Ortega's biggest critics and one of the priests who were jailed for simply standing up to Daniel Ortega. He was found guilty of treason and sentenced to 26 years in prison. The government also stripped him of his citizenship.

Nicaragua Facing Massive Discontent as Country Commemorates Sandinista Revolution

Nicaragua also recently commemorated the Sandinista Revolution that kicked out a US-backed government and installed Ortega as the leader. However, as this happens, a new survey found that a lot of Nicaraguans are not happy with the revolutionary-turned-dictator.

According to El Pais, a new CID-Gallup survey found that 56% of Nicaraguans disapprove of the government while only 16% of respondents say that they back Ortega and his Sandinista regime. The poll also showed that 23% of the respondents think Ortega's performance as president is "very bad" while 15% think that it is "regular."

Despite the massive drop in support, however, the government still went on with the celebrations and flooded the country with propaganda. Ortega supporters marched on Sunday, July 2, in commemoration of the revolution.

Nicaragua Continues To Repress the Roman Catholic Church

As talks are still ongoing between both sides, the Nicaraguan government has continued its repression of the Catholic Church.

Last month, Vatican News reported that the government targeted Catholic-run schools, taking over some of them and closing others. This included the government forcing the Susana López Carazo school in Rivas department to close down. The school was run by the Dominican Sisters of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin.

Three nuns from the religious order were also deported from the country in addition to closing the school down.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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