The human rights crisis in Nicaragua has entered a new chapter as President Daniel Ortega imposed new free speech restrictions for concerts. This is happening in a country that has shut down independent news organizations, banned rallies unless it is pro-Ortega, banned religious processions, and even the waving of the flag of Nicaragua on the streets, as this was something the 2018 protesters did in opposition to his regime.

This means that Ortega is now also clamping down on the entertainment industry as the Nicaraguan Ministry of Interior created a registry of producers and warned those producers against "intervening, financing, or promoting" certain issues that are related to "internal or external politics."

Officially called the Ministerial Agreement 05-2024, the registry is for "producers, promoters, and organizers of activities, events and public artistic performances." This requires local and foreign artistic performers to register with the government, with the regime arguing that it is intended to "guarantee citizen and state security and internal order in the national territory."

Several event producers spoke with El Pais and argued that such a regulation "seeks to expand political control and the gag on freedom of thought, even at concerts." They pointed to the "obligations" chapter of the regulations, which producers must "refrain from intervening, financing and promoting issues, activities or topics concerning internal and external politics, or activities that lead to political proselytism."

Producers are also given 30 days to inform the Interior Ministry about any event they want to hold. They must also tell the government how many people are expected to attend, what type of equipment they will be using, and other information.

US Imposes Arms Restrictions Against Nicaragua

Meanwhile, as the Daniel Ortega regime imposes even more free speech restrictions on Nicaraguans, the US is imposing arms restrictions against the Ortega regime after President Joe Biden expressed his concerns about the dictator's "brutal repression" of its citizens.

"The United States will continue to use all available diplomatic and economic tools to promote accountability for the Ortega-Murillo regime and to support the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Nicaraguans as they pursue a more just and prosperous future," said a statement from the US Department of State as it tries to curb the import of weapons from the US to Nicaragua.

The US Commerce Department also imposed restrictions on the Central American country on Thursday, applying restrictive rules for exporting US goods to the country. Human rights abuses and Ortega's security ties with Russia were cited as the main concerns why such restrictions were imposed.

Nicaragua Continues To Repress Catholics Under Daniel Ortega Regime

As for the usual targets of Ortega's ire, Catholics continue to be persecuted in Nicaragua despite Catholicism being the top religion in the country.

A recent panel discussion hosted by St. John's University in Queens, New York talked about the regime's Catholic repression, and it revealed several atrocities that the regime has committed, including forcefully taking over Church-owned universities and kicking out foreign missionaries. There are also reports of the forceful removal of elderly and disabled sisters and priests from what was supposed to be Church property but was taken over by the government.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: How Daniel Ortega tossed democracy aside to maintain power in Nicaragua - 60 Minutes