The government of Nicaragua has shut down 1,500 non-profit organizations, including hundreds of evangelical religious groups.
They’re accused of failing to disclose financial statements, but opponents say it’s part of a crackdown on groups that aren’t allied with the government.
It’s the latest move by the Nicaraguan regime of President Daniel Ortega to consolidate control over the country. Vice President Rosario Murillo and Interior Minister MarÃa Amelia Coronel are reportedly directly involved in the ongoing crackdown.
Not only is the government shutting down the non-profit groups, but it’s also seizing their assets for the state. Vatican News reports, “The Attorney General’s Office will now be responsible for transferring movable and immovable assets on behalf of the State of Nicaragua.”
For years the Nicaraguan government has targeted Roman Catholic leaders who have taken a stand against human rights abuses in the country. This time around, Vatican News says some Catholic groups have been targeted but the vast majority of the shuttered ministries were “affiliated with evangelical communities.”
Since 2018, over 5,200 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been wiped out by the government.
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