Additional Name(s): Monseñor Carlos Avilés
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Date of Detainment: December/28/2023
Date of Release: January/14/2024
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Carlos Avilés was detained for his religious leadership role.
On December 28, 2023, police arrested Avilés, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Managua and priest of Cristo de las Colinas Parish, under unclear circumstances. His arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. Avilés had been critical of the Nicaraguan government in years prior, including its religious freedom record.
On January 14, 2024, Avilés was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.
Related Cases: Silvio Fonseca, Héctor Treminio, Fernando Calero, Marcos Díaz Prado, Mykel Monterrey, Raúl Zamora, Gerardo Rodríguez, Miguel Mántica, Jader Hernández, Ervin López
"Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo's regime puts priests in the crosshairs at Christmas" El Pais
"Dictadura ejecuta gran redada “Navidad negra” contra sacerdotes" Confidencial
"Dictadura sandinista secuestra a Monseñores Miguel Mántica, Silvio Fonseca y tres sacerdotes más" 100% Noticias
Additional Name(s): Father Héctor Treminio Vega
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Date of Detainment: December/28/2023
Date of Release: January/14/2024
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Héctor Treminio was detained for his religious leadership role.
On December 28, 2023, police arrested Treminio, parish priest of the Santo Cristo de Esquipulas Church in Managua and treasurer of the Archdiocese of Managua, under unclear circumstances. His arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. In 2020, Treminio criticized the wealth of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's family in a homily.
On January 14, 2024, Treminio was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.
Related Cases: Silvio Fonseca, Carlos Avilés, Fernando Calero, Marcos Díaz Prado, Mykel Monterrey, Raúl Zamora, Gerardo Rodríguez, Miguel Mántica, Jader Hernández, Ervin López
"Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo's regime puts priests in the crosshairs at Christmas" El Pais
"Dictadura ejecuta gran redada “Navidad negra” contra sacerdotes" Confidencial
"Dictadura sandinista secuestra a Monseñores Miguel Mántica, Silvio Fonseca y tres sacerdotes más" 100% Noticias
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Date of Detainment: December/29/2023
Date of Release: January/14/2024
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Silvio Fonseca was detained for his religious expression and his religious leadership role.
On December 29, 2023, Nicaraguan authorities arrested Silvio Fonseca, the vicar of Family, Life, and Childhood in the Archdiocese of Managua. Fonseca has openly criticized the government's religious freedom violations. His arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.
On January 14, 2024, Fonseca was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.
Related Cases: Héctor Treminio, Carlos Avilés, Fernando Calero, Marcos Díaz Prado, Mykel Monterrey, Raúl Zamora, Gerardo Rodríguez, Miguel Mántica, Jader Hernández, Ervin López
USCIRF Press Release: USCIRF Condemns Nicaragua's Arbitrary Detention of Priests January 4, 2024
"Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo's regime puts priests in the crosshairs at Christmas" El Pais
"Dictadura ejecuta gran redada “Navidad negra” contra sacerdotes" Confidencial
"Dictadura sandinista secuestra a Monseñores Miguel Mántica, Silvio Fonseca y tres sacerdotes más" 100% Noticias