The religious persecution of Roman Catholics by the Daniel Ortega regime in Nicaragua was spotlighted at the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, DC. There, an exiled Nicaraguan priest spoke under the cloak of anonymity and detailed what he went through in his home country.

There, the priest told the crowd present that the regime of President Daniel Ortega "arrested, insulted, beaten, [and] imprisoned" him, adding, "If I'm here, it's not because I wanted to fly to Washington to enjoy three days off with paid travel, No, I have done so while knowing that the lives of my family, of my loved ones, are in danger in Nicaragua, that in front of my family's house there is a Sandinista Police patrol watching every movement, 24 hours a day."

The priest used a voice changer to alter the sound of his voice to keep his identity hidden. He added, "If I have agreed to come, even exposing them to any reprisals or revenge of the dictatorship, it is for two reasons: because I believe that there is a God who cares for us and because if we Christians, who believe in democracy, in freedom, in social justice, do nothing, no one else will."

The CNA reported that the anonymous Catholic priest is just one of dozens of clergymen who have been arrested during Daniel Ortega's ongoing campaign against the Roman Catholic Church, which he accused of masterminding the 2018 protests against him.

The regime has so far banned public processions, even during Christmas and Holy Week. It has also banned various missionaries, even expelling Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, as well as closed down Catholic schools and media organizations. The state has now even taken control of the country's most prestigious school from Jesuit priests.

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

Mike Pence Condemns Nicaragua Government During International Religious Freedom Summit

One of the speakers during the International Religious Freedom Summit was former US Vice President Mike Pence, and he addressed the religious persecution of Catholics in Nicaragua under the Daniel Ortega regime.

"I believe the time has come for the United States to make it clear to Nicaragua that we will not tolerate action against, suppression of, church leaders and religious leaders in Nicaragua without consequence," he said before suggesting that the US "should alter its existing trade agreement with Nicaragua if the Ortega regime's religious persecution continues."

"We ought to make it clear to Nicaragua that you will begin to respect the religious liberty of people of every faith in Nicaragua or our relationship will change," he added, making the same argument when asked a separate question regarding China's repression of Muslim Uyghurs.

Daniel Ortega Regime in Nicaragua Also Going After Protestants and US Missionaries

It is not just Catholics who are facing repression in Nicaragua but also evangelical protestants and their US missionaries. One of these is a ministry called Mountain Gateway, as one of its missionaries, Britt Hancock, along with his son Jacob and daughter-in-law Cassandra, are all facing allegations of money laundering and organized crime.

"Mountain Gateway would like to publicly state it denies these allegations, and it is saddened by this situation," a statement from the ministry read. "Mountain Gateway has diligently followed all legal requirements in the US and Nicaragua that apply to non-profit and faith-based organizations."

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Nicaraguan opposition wants Catholics persecution to stop - WPLG Local 10