The dictatorship of Daniel Ortega, through the Ministry of the Interior, canceled another 169 non-profit organizations (NPOs/NGOs), bringing the total to 5,664 NGOs canceled since 2018, according to counts by Nicaraguan organizations working in exile. Among the affected groups are dozens of religious associations, including the Moravian Church of Nicaragua.
As is now customary, the list of canceled NGOs was published in the official newspaper La Gaceta. Ministerial Agreement 40-2024-OSFL states that these 169 associations failed to comply with the laws that regulate them. However, in reality, this is just an excuse, as the regime refuses to accept the documentation these organizations provide to maintain their operations.
Among these new cancellations are 80 organizations affiliated with evangelical churches
The Moravian Church of Nicaragua, in particular, has been targeted by the regime. This church represents the primary religion of the communities on Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast and has already faced significant repression. Last July, Anexa Alfred, a member of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, highlighted that on the Caribbean Coast, “the predominant religion is Moravian. The religious freedom of the Caribbean coastal communities has continued to suffer severe repercussions as spaces in the country have been closed, a result of the regime’s policy of absolute control over territorial authorities.”
The Moravian presence in Nicaragua dates back to 1847, when German Moravian missionaries began their work in the South Caribbean region. From the outset, their mission focused on indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, including the Miskito, Sumu, and Rama peoples. In 1899, the first Nicaraguan pastor was ordained. By 1972, the leadership and administration of the Moravian Church had transitioned to a native pastor, and the church became fully autonomous in 1974, organizing itself into a provincial synod that meets every three years, with an executive board led by a superintendent.
Moravian Church with presence in the most remote indigenous territories
Anexa Alfred emphasized that although the Moravian Church has been outlawed, the organization and mission work of the Moravian Church extend beyond legal boundaries.
“It’s important to understand that while the Moravian Church could support communities through the structure of a non-governmental organization, these churches have a physical presence in communal territories, beyond the reach of the State. These lands are characterized by being unseizable, inalienable, and exempt from prescription, meaning they are beyond both commercial and state control,” said Alfred.
Alfred further noted that many of the churches were built by indigenous communities themselves, carrying materials deep into their communal lands.
“This is not only an attack on religious freedom but also a violation of the rights of indigenous peoples. We deeply regret what is happening,” Alfred stated.
The Catholic Church and the Evangelical Church have been two of the most targeted groups by NGO cancellations over the past three years, which critics see as a direct attack by the dictatorship on religious institutions for not adhering to its directives.
Camilo Ortega association
The Asociación 26 de Febrero 1978 Comandante Camilo Ortega Saavedra in Memoria, which commemorates the dictator’s brother who died on that date during the war, was also canceled. The association was composed of survivors of the “heroic deed of Los Sabogales.” According to the agreement, the organization failed to report financial statements for the periods 2019-2023 and had expired boards of directors since March 21, 2021—yet another excuse used for shutting down these organizations.
Additionally, there are 37 cattle ranching associations added to the 151 business organizations canceled five days ago. There are also new cancellations affecting equestrian, educational, women’s, and other associations.
On August 19, the dictatorship canceled 1,500 NGOs, the largest number of cancellations ordered in a single day.
Since 2018, the regime has been systematically dismantling NGOs that engaged in social work across the country, including in remote areas that are often beyond the reach of the State. The dictatorial purge has eliminated organizations dedicated to education, health, gender issues, and non-violence promotion, with particular severity applied to religious associations—especially Catholic ones—that provided social services in municipalities.