Mastodon
RNS logo
Religion Hub

Nicaragua's President Ortega calls bishops 'terrorists'

His regime has also accused civic groups, opposition leaders and media outlets of crimes like treason and money laundering.
Nicaragua’s President Ortega calls bishops ‘terrorists’
FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2018 file photo, Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, lead a rally in Managua, Nicaragua. As international health organizations warn of increasing infections in Nicaragua and independent Nicaraguan doctors call for a voluntary quarantine to slow the spread of the delta variant, the government has made clear that comments out of step with its line are unacceptable as Ortega seeks a fourth consecutive term. Murillo has accused doctors of “health terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga, File)
Associated Press

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Nicaragua’s increasingly isolated President Daniel Ortega called Roman Catholic bishops “terrorists” Monday and said many countries would have arrested them.

Ortega claims widespread protests that erupted in April 2018 were an attempted coup with foreign backing. And he has feuded with bishops who participated as mediators then in the short-lived first round of dialogue between the government and opposition, after which the government brutally put down the protests.

Ortega appeared to be referring to a pro-democracy plan submitted by Nicaragua’s council of bishops during those talks.


“The bishops signed that in the name of the terrorists, at the service of the Yankees … these bishops are also terrorists,” he said in a broadcast. “In any other country in the world they would be on trial.”

Jailing bishops is far from idle talk for Ortega. At least seven opposition contenders have been jailed this year on vague treason charges, discrediting the Nov. 7 elections in which Ortega is seeking a fourth consecutive term. Ortega’s regime has also accused civic groups, opposition leaders and media outlets of everything from treason to money laundering.

At least 325 people died during clashes in 2018 between civilians and government forces in Nicaragua, while more than 52,000 people have fled the country, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Ortega had testy relations with bishops when he first governed in the 1980s, but then appeared to try to cozy up to the church after regaining power in 2006, by enforcing harsh anti-abortion laws.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
No paywalls here. Thanks to you.
As an independent nonprofit, RNS believes everyone should have access to coverage of religion that is fair, thoughtful and inclusive. That's why you will never hit a paywall on our site; you can read all the stories and columns you want, free of charge (and we hope you read a lot of them!)

But, of course, producing this journalism carries a high cost, to support the reporters, editors, columnists, and the behind-the-scenes staff that keep this site up and running. That's why we ask that if you can, you consider becoming one of our donors. Any amount helps, and because we're a nonprofit, all of it goes to support our mission: To produce thoughtful, factual coverage of religion that helps you better understand the world. Thank you for reading and supporting RNS.
Deborah Caldwell, CEO and Publisher
Donate today