On August 16, 2023, the Ortega-Murillo regime confiscated the assets and bank accounts of the Central American University (UCA), accusing its board of terrorism and suspending all academic activities for over 5,000 students and more than 500 faculty. The Central American University has historically been a pillar of academic freedom and freedom of expression, representing one of the last bastions of freedom of thought in the country. Since 2021, 27 universities and 3,457 civil society organizations have been closed in Nicaragua. Under accusations of money laundering, spreading false information, failure to report financial statements, failure to register as foreign agents, and other infrastructure problems, the Ortega-Murillo government has arbitrarily closed any independent institutions opposing their regime. Civil society organizations, including the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy (REDLAD), have expressed their solidarity with the Central American University and their concern regarding the closure of democratic spaces in Nicaragua.

Read REDLAD’s alert here.