Nicaragua is facing an alarming rise in religious freedom violations, according to a recent report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The organization highlights an increase in reported cases from 222 in 2024 to 309 last year, suggesting that many incidents remain undisclosed due to a pervasive “climate of fear” enforced by the government.
Religious leaders in the country are experiencing heightened restrictions, with some being required to report to police weekly and obtain permission for religious activities. This environment of control is further exemplified by the detention of certain pastors for extended periods and the prohibition of international visitors bringing Bibles into Nicaragua, as reported here.
In a notable case, Pastor Efrén Antonio Vílchez López received a 23-year prison sentence on charges deemed “trumped up” by human rights organizations. His offense appears to be his vocal criticism of the Nicaraguan government.
Open Doors has ranked Nicaragua as the 32nd worst country for Christian persecution globally, noting a significant decline since the anti-government protests of 2018. This deterioration is part of a broader pattern of restricting freedoms in the nation.
Anna Lee Stangl, Director of Advocacy and Americas Team at CSW, remarked, “For several years now CSW has documented a continued deterioration in the situation of freedom of religion or belief and other human rights in Nicaragua. 2025 was no different.” She added, “While in some ways the regime has changed its strategies – releasing political prisoners into house arrest as opposed to forcing them into exile, for example – its primary goal remains the same: to control, coopt or eliminate anyone it deems a threat to its authority and survival.”
Stangl emphasized the need for international intervention, stating, “The international community must do more to support and strengthen independent voices in the country, including those of religious groups, and, in light of Nicaragua’s own unresponsiveness to international communications, it should consider holding other states that support the regime to account.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
