World Jan 14 Bishop Álvarez and 18 priests released from prison, handed to Vatican, Nicaragua says By Associated Press
World Mar 18 Vatican closes embassy in Nicaragua in response to crackdown on Catholic Church The Vatican said Saturday it had closed its embassy in Nicaragua after the country's government proposed suspending diplomatic relations, the latest episode in a yearslong crackdown on the Catholic Church by the administration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. By Nicole Winfield, Gabriela Selser, Associated Press
World Feb 12 Catholic bishop’s 26-year prison sentence in Nicaragua draws concern from Pope Pope Francis on Sunday expressed sadness and worry at the news that Bishop Rolando Álvarez, an outspoken critic of the Nicaraguan government, had been sentenced to 26 years in prison in the latest move against the Catholic Church and government… By Associated Press
World Feb 09 Nicaragua frees 222 opponents of country’s leader Ortega, ‘deports’ them to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the prisoners had been jailed “for exercising their fundamental freedoms and have endured lengthy unjust detentions.”… By Gabriela Selser, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press
World Aug 21 Pope calls for ‘dialogue’ over bishop’s detention in Nicaragua Pope Francis voiced worry Sunday about the situation in Nicaragua, where police detained several Roman Catholic clergy, including a bishop, critical of President Daniel Ortega’s administration. By Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press
Aug 19 Nicaraguan police detain Catholic bishop, other priests in raid By Gabriela Selser, Christopher Sherman, Associated Press Friday's pre-dawn raid came after Nicaraguan authorities accused Matagalpa Diocese Bishop Rolando Álvarez of allegedly "organizing violent groups" and inciting them "to carry out acts of hate against the population."… Continue reading
Nov 07 Nicaragua’s Ortega seeks re-election in questioned vote By Associated Press The election will determine who holds the presidency for the next five years, as well as 90 of the 92 seats in the congress and Nicaragua’s representation in the Central American Parliament. More than 4.4 million Nicaraguan age 16 and… Continue reading
Jun 22 International criticism of Nicaragua crackdown grows By Associated Press Fifty-nine countries at the United Nations Human Rights Council signed onto a statement Tuesday expressing concern over arbitrary arrests and the restriction of fundamental rights. Continue reading
Jun 13 Nicaragua arrests 5 more opposition leaders in crackdown By Associated Press The moves over the weekend suggest Ortega has moved beyond arresting potential opposition candidates in the Nov. 7 elections, and has begun arresting any prominent member of the opposition. Sunday's arrests bring to 12 the number of opponents detained since… Continue reading
Jul 30 Watch 6:17 Nicaraguan protesters under siege for demanding democratic reform Political protests have raged across Nicaragua for more than three months against the government of Daniel Ortega, accused of being a dictator. More than 300 people have since died in street battles, and the Catholic Church has taken the protestors'… Continue watching