Nicaragua’s Human Rights Crisis Continues with Ban on NGOs: Over 3,600 Dissolved Since April 2018

In Managua, the Nicaraguan regime announced the cancellation of legal status for 15 new NGOs, bringing the total number of banned organizations to over 3,600 since December 2018. The Ministry of the Interior stated that nine NGOs were closed for not complying with regulations, and six others voluntarily requested dissolution. Among the NGOs canceled were the National Chamber of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the Association of Small Hotel Owners of Nicaragua, and evangelical Christian entities. The Ministry also outlined the transfer of assets to the Nicaraguan State, except for those that requested voluntary dissolution.

Since April 2018, more than 3,600 NGOs have been dissolved in Nicaragua due to tensions escalating after controversial 2021 elections where Ortega was re-elected for a fifth term. Ortega’s opponents were either imprisoned or in exile. His wife Rosario Murillo serves as vice president. Some regime supporters accused the NGOs of using resources to try to overthrow Ortega during demonstrations in April 2018. However, the regime claims that illegalization is part of a regulation process due to a large number of registered NGOs in 2018.