Analysts Link Nicaragua's Crackdown on the Catholic Church to Murillo Succession
Foreign policy analysts Connor Pfeiffer and Samuel Ben-Ur say the Nicaraguan government's pressure on the Catholic Church is tied to a plan to transfer power to Co-President Rosario Murillo
Two foreign policy analysts say the Nicaraguan government's campaign against the Catholic Church is connected to the succession plans of the country's ruling couple.
Connor Pfeiffer and Samuel Ben-Ur argue that the government of Daniel Ortega, who has been president for more than 15 years, has stepped up its harassment of Catholics as part of a broader effort to consolidate power in the hands of his wife, Rosario Murillo, who serves as co-president.
According to the analysts, Murillo does not enjoy the personality cult that has surrounded Ortega, and has turned to religious persecution as a way of removing rival sources of moral and political authority while Ortega is still in office. They say the aim is to weaken the influence of the Catholic Church, which has been a source of resistance and a moral reference point in Nicaraguan society.
Pressure on the Church in Nicaragua in recent years has included the closure of churches, bans on religious activities and the imprisonment of Church leaders. Some Catholics practice their faith out of public view.
International organizations and human rights advocates have denounced violations of religious freedom in the country. Catholics inside and outside Nicaragua continue to call for respect for fundamental rights and for the protection of freedom of worship.
