6/18/2025 Nicaragua (International Christian Concern) — In recent years, Nicaragua’s prison system has become a nightmare for Christian political prisoners and whoever else speak against the Sandinista National Liberation Front (SNLF) and the Nicaraguan government.
Previous political prisoners in Direccion de Auxillo Judicial (DAJ), known as “El Chipote,” el Sistema Penitenciario Nacional Jorge Navarro, known as “La Modelo,” and Sistema Penitenciario de Mujeres, known as “La Esperanza” have reportedly been repeatedly beaten, raped, asphyxiated, threatened, humiliated, or endured other violent acts by police officers during interrogation. These abuses resulted in psychological problems, such as paranoia, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
To hide evidence of abuse, officers often prohibit lawyers and family members from visiting prisoners. Further abuse likely occurred in the 14 forced disappearances of political prisoners. Those who are tortured often develop conditions such as gastritis, skin infections, and muscle and stomach pain because of a lack of medical attention.
Once they’re released from prison, victims often seek medical attention for injuries they sustained from repeated torture. Many of them, however, are denied healthcare. Public schools and universities are also denying admission to the victims and their children.
“My three younger children were denied admission to the public school in Ticuantepe, and my oldest son to the UNAN and the UNI (two public universities in Managua),” said one victim who wished to remain anonymous.
In some Nicaraguan prisons, officers limit prisoners’ access to the prison yard and separate them from other prisoners. Then they group them into political communities.
These acts toward Nicaraguan political prisoners violate basic human rights and ignore due process. Prison authorities likely don’t acknowledge the abuses because they have yet to experience any consequences.
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