Nicaragua Forces Closure of 1,500 Church and Civil Society Groups

NICARAGUA – Nicaragua has revoked the registration of 1,500 non-profit organizations, the latest move in a years-long crackdown in the small Central American nation.

The United Nations issued a statement saying it considers the closures “deeply alarming.”

The organizations are accused of failing to report their financial statements for a period ranging from one to 35 years, according to a notice published by the Nicaraguan government.

The religious organizations targeted were overwhelmingly Christian, representing Catholic, Evangelical, and Pentecostal denominations.