Nicaragua Releases Bishop Rolando Álvarez and 18 Clergy Members

The Nicaraguan government released Bishop Rolando Álvarez and 18 clergy members from jail and handed them over to Vatican authorities as part of ongoing negotiations between the two parties.

On Sunday, the Nicaraguan government announced the release of Bishop Rolando Álvarez and 18 other clergy members from prison. The government stated that the release was part of ongoing negotiations with the Vatican. In the past, imprisoned priests have been swiftly transported to Rome.

Included Bishop Isidoro Mora

The government of President Daniel Ortega confirmed that those released on Sunday also included Bishop Isidoro Mora. In February, Ortega's government sent 222 prisoners to the United States as part of a deal brokered by the US government. These prisoners were subsequently stripped of their citizenship.

Bishop Álvarez's Imprisonment and Refusal to Leave

Bishop Álvarez had been incarcerated for over a year after being convicted of conspiracy and receiving a 26-year prison sentence. Notably, he declined to board the February flight to the United States. Álvarez, recognized as one of the country's most outspoken clergy members, insisted on consulting with other bishops before making a decision.

Government's Crackdown on Dissent

Since suppressing widespread protests in 2018 that demanded his resignation, President Daniel Ortega's government has systematically silenced dissenting voices, particularly targeting the church. In October, Nicaragua released a group of twelve Catholic priests who had been imprisoned on various charges and sent them to Rome as part of an agreement with the Vatican.