In a recent statement released on August 16, the University of Central America in Nicaragua, a notable institution managed by the Jesuits, reported that the national government had seized their property claiming it to be a “hub of terrorism”. This esteemed academic institution, which played a key role in the 2018 protests against President Daniel Ortega’s regime, rejected the terrorism allegations as groundless and decried the seizure as an assault on Nicaragua’s academic community.
However, the government hasn’t yet publicly affirmed the confiscation or responded to the Jesuits’ statement on the matter.
On August 15, the Jesuit order disclosed that it had been officially notified of the government’s confiscation through a judicial order. It added that the government has taken custody of every asset belonging to the university, including property, buildings, and financial accounts. This act by the government signifies an increasingly strained relationship with the Catholic Church and opposition figures in Nicaragua.
María Asunción Moreno, an ex-professor at the institution who was compelled to seek exile in 2021, remarked, “The Ortega administration’s seizure of this property marks the end of free thought in Nicaragua.”
The government’s order justified their move by alleging that the university was a “hotbed for terrorism.”
Central America’s Society of Jesus expressed their criticism in a written statement, pointing out that these actions demonstrate a persistent disregard for human rights by the government. It appears they are purposely paving the way for a totalitarian regime.
Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian A. Nichols, conveyed his thoughts via Twitter. He said, “The confiscation of the university contributes further to the deterioration of democratic principles, as well as the repression of public rights by Ortega-Murillo.” Here, Nichols referred to vice president Rosario Murillo, who also serves as the first lady.
The UCA, a renowned university in the region, operates two expansive campuses that include features such as five auditoriums, engineering labs, a business innovation center, a library stocked with over 160,000 Spanish and English books and a molecular biology center, as well as amenities for 11 different sports. Of the 200,000 university-level students in Nicaragua, approximately 8,000 are enrolled at the UCA.
Established 63 years ago, the UCA is also home to the Institute of History of Nicaragua and Central America, an institution recognized as the country’s primary research and memory center. The institute possesses its own library, a newspaper library, and a notable collection of photographic archives.
Since December 2021, the Ortega government has ordered closings and asset seizures at a total of 26 Nicaraguan universities, following a similar protocol. Among these, seven were affiliated with foreign institutions.
In April, a cessation of diplomatic relations proposal by the Nicaraguan government led the Vatican to close its embassy in the country.
The Missionaries of Charity order, founded by Mother Teresa, along with other religious congregations were forcefully removed from Nicaragua in the preceding year.
However, the actions of the Nicaraguan government have extended beyond the church, resulting in the prohibition and shutdown of over 3,000 civic groups and non-governmental organizations.
The Nicaraguan Red Cross was ordered to shut down in May by the government. They were accused of attacking peace and stability during the anti-government demonstrations in 2018. However, the local Red Cross maintained they provided medical care to the injured protesters during these demonstrations.
In June, the government seized properties of 222 opposition figures, who had been compelled into exile in February after being detained by the Ortega administration.
Those who were extracted from prison and compelled onto a flight headed for the United States on 9th February encompassed seven potential presidential candidates who had been forbidden from participating in the 2021 election. The list also included lawyers, rights activists, journalists, and ex-members of the Sandinista guerrilla movement.
Since the brutal repression of mass anti-government protests by Nicaraguan security forces in 2018, thousands have been forced to seek exile. Ortega alleges that these protests were an attempted coup supported by foreign agents, with the aim of toppling his regime.
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