Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the House Global Human Rights Subcommittee, today issued the following statement as Bishop Álvarez suffers 500 days in Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega’s gulag:

            “Nicaragua’s Ortega-Murillo regime has escalated their crackdown on the Catholic Church—during the Christmas season—these past two weeks. 

            Since December 20, Nicaraguan police have detained a total number of 14 priests and two seminarians, all during the Christmas season. There are currently 15 imprisoned priests (including two bishops—the bishop of Matagalpa, Rolando Álvarez, and the bishop of Siuna, Isidoro del Carmen Mora), as well as two seminarians and 15 lay people. 

            In his New Year’s address, Pope Francis noted his concern with the situation and the deprivation of freedom these individuals are suffering.

            Local reports have documented priests being taken from their homes, and even beaten, due to praying for Bishop Rolando Álvarez—who has been detained for 500 days. Many have since been charged with conspiracy and treason with whereabouts currently unknown. This is an unquestionable persecution that calls for the United States to wake up.

            What is the US doing in response? Tens of thousands of Nicaraguans have fled their country to avoid persecution since 2018, when Ortega’s government cracked down on widespread anti-regime protests, killing hundreds of people, injuring thousands and arbitrarily detaining many. 

            The erosion of civil society coupled with Ortega’s growing relationships with China, Russia, and Iran should escalate our concerns over the seriousness of the situation and demands that we consider sanctions and other avenues, such as to fully implement the requirements of the RENACER Act and an interagency review of Nicaragua’s participation in CAFTA-DR, to bring justice back to the people of Nicaragua.

            Each of our adversaries will use Ortega for their own benefit as they attempt to exert influence in America’s backyard. The Chinese have even upgraded their relationship with Nicaragua to a “strategic partnership.” This should set off the alarm and we should be wary of any foreign power establishing bases in our sphere of influence. This involvement will only serve to heighten the animosity against America in the region, and we must act now before it gets further out of hand. 

            What is needed are concrete steps to punish the regime, while demanding proof of life, especially for those detained and needing regular medical attention—Monsignor Aviles is a diabetic, requiring daily insulin shots. 

            Bishop Álvarez has remained in prison for over 500 days, showing us that Ortega’s worst impulses are long-lasting. Justice delayed is justice denied. I call on the Biden administration and Secretary Blinken to act now to call for the immediate and unconditional release of these prisoners.”

List of the Imprisoned:

Bishop Rolando Alvarez 

Bishop Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega

Pablo Villafranca- Parroco nuestro señor de veracruz- Nindiri

Hector Treminio parroco de santo Xto esquipulas

Monseñor Carlos Aviles- Las colinas Vicario Nacional

Fernando Calero- Parroco de Rancho Grande 

Moseñor Marcos Diaz-Parroco de Puerto Corinto

Prebistero Jader Guido-tercer vicario matagalpa

Ervin Lopez 

Jaime Ramos - Parroco de Chinandega

Miguel Mantica - Parroco de Iglesia San francisco- Bolonia

Gerardo Rodriguez 

Raul Zamora - Divina Misericordia

Mycol Monterrey-Parroco nuestra señora de candelaria 

Silvio Fonseca - Vicario de la Pastoral familiar

Seminarista Alester Saez- Siuna 

Seminarista Tony Palacion - Siuna

Monseñor Oscar Escoto 

Jader Hernandez- Parroco Madre del divino pastor

Freylin Axareal Moreno Ponce -Matagalpa

Julio Cesar Sevilla Esteli- Caritas

 Julio Berrios Esteli-Caritas

Maria Veronica Herrera Galeano- Esteli- Caritas

Bladimir Palles. Esteli-Caritas 

Marivi Andino-Esteli-Caritas 

Freydell Andino- Esteli Caritas 

 Salvador Paguagua -Ocotal 

Martha Candelaria Rivas - Nindiri -

Jimmy Antonio Bonilla -Granada 

Enmanuel Gutierrez -Granada 

Victor Ticay -transmitir en FB

Olesia Muñoz- Ex- nuevamente en carcel-

Evelyn Susana Guillen Zepeda -Managua

Henry Blass Guerrero - reunion cofadria

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