Costa Rica is home to many exiled Nicaraguans, from opposition members to journalists to priests affected by dictator Daniel Ortega's crackdown against all forms of dissent. One of those opposition members was just wounded in a violent attack in Costa Rica last Wednesday.

The Judicial Investigation Department of Costa Rica revealed that 34-year-old Joao Maldonado was shot seven times and is in serious condition. The Nicaraguan political exile was reportedly shot by two attackers aboard a motorcycle while he was driving with his partner near Costa Rica University.

Costa Rican authorities are currently investigating the attack and have declined to comment on the possible motive, as Maldonado is living in the country after fleeing political persecution in his home country. Investigators did reveal that they found bullet fragments from the victim's vehicle, and these have already been sent for forensic analysis.

A person close to Maldonado spoke with the Associated Press and told the outlet on the request of anonymity for safety reasons that the Nicaraguan opposition member and his partner, who is also Nicaraguan, are still in the hospital, with Maldonado currently in a serious condition.

Joao Maldonado has been in exile in Costa Rica since 2018, fleeing to the Central American country after Daniel Ortega began his violent repression of protesters. This is actually the second attempt on his life, with the first one happening in 2021 just months after his father, Tomas Maldonado, died inside a Nicaraguan prison, He was a retired military officer and a critic of Ortega.

Nicaragua Government Expels Arrested Priests Amid Crackdown Vs. Catholic Church

President Daniel Ortega is not just going after protesters and political opponents, as well as the current Miss Universe, but also the Roman Catholic Church, which has frequently criticized Ortega for his heavy-handed and often deadly methods.

READ MORE: Nicaragua Explainer: Why is the Daniel Ortega Government Feuding With Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios?

The row with the Roman Catholic Church has even gotten Pope Francis himself involved, recently blasting Ortega for his gross dictatorship as the government continued to arbitrarily jail priests and expel missionaries. Now, the government is expelling the priests they have been arresting, according to Forbes.

Ortega reportedly "ordered the arrest of, forced into exile, and verbally attacked priests and bishops, labeled them 'criminals' and 'coup-plotters,' and accused them of inciting violence."

Roman Catholic Organizations Urge Prayers for Nicaragua

As Daniel Ortega intensifies his crackdown against priests in Nicaragua, the Pontifical Mission Societies and Aid to the Church in Need are urging Christians to pray for peace in Nicaragua.

According to The Catholic Weekly, the two organizations have already scheduled a novena for the Immaculate Conception of Mary on January 14. This is a response to a similar call made by Pope Francis during New Year's Day.

"This initiative aims to gather Catholics throughout the country in prayer, echoing the Holy Father's concern for the Nicaraguan people and the challenges they face," the two organizations said in a joint statement. "In heeding Pope Francis' call, we are not just praying for Nicaragua; we are standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in their time of need."

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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