The regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo has as soon as once more proven a brand new instance of authoritarianism and intolerance in the direction of important voices, every time additional away from much less respect for human rights and democratic practices. The try to eliminate Bishop Rolando Alvarez, one of the uncomfortable figures within the Catholic Church for the Sandinistas, failed once more. The prelate, a political prisoner since final August, rejected compelled exile for the second time and demanded his launch with out circumstances and that of all of the convicted clergymen. Monsignor Alvarez, in the present day the principle image of resistance towards the ruling couple, was returned to an isolation cell within the Modelo jail in Managua.
What occurred with the bishop of the diocese of Matagalpa leaves two messages. To start with, he confirms that the regime has no intention of giving within the slightest in its intransigent positions regardless of worldwide stress. Ortega has repeatedly refused to interact in a honest dialogue with completely different actors to discover a manner out of the intense political disaster wherein the Central American nation is immersed. The final try at mediation occurred exactly on account of the Alvarez state of affairs. The timid contacts with the Vatican have been unsuccessful, whereas the connection with the Holy See worsens with the passing of the times. Sandinismo has launched a ferocious assault towards the Catholic Church. Added to the convictions and imprisonment of non secular are the blocking of accounts, the incessant harassment and a forceful response from Pope Francis, who in contrast the Managua authorities to a “Hitler dictatorship.”
The second message is identical dignity of Bishop Alvarez. Final February, when the regime launched and exiled 222 political prisoners to the USA, the non secular refused to go away his nation. The punishment was instant. A courtroom managed by Ortega sentenced him to 26 years in jail for “treason towards the homeland.” Earlier than him, the fury of the federal government equipment had been cruel with the auxiliary bishop of Managua, Silvio Baez, who went into exile on the request of the Pontiff. Solely earlier than an specific order from Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Alvarez would agree to go away, based on his surroundings. In any case, his determination to stay in jail deserves respect. The bishop is aware of that he’s a prisoner of conscience and doesn’t wish to provide one other victory to the regime, whose precedence is exactly to eliminate a dissenting voice. In the meantime, Nicaragua’s worldwide isolation is deepening, which has an influence on the magnitude of the nation’s democratic emergency. The failure of contacts with the Vatican is the newest proof. Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo are solely liable for an uncontrolled drift in the direction of unbridled authoritarianism.
