Nicaraguan security forces have launched a wave of arrests, detaining dozens of citizens accused of celebrating the dramatic capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro by United States military personnel.
Dozens detained in post-Maduro crackdown
According to the human rights organisation Blue and White Monitoring, at least 60 arbitrary arrests have been made since last Saturday. The group, which tracks rights violations in Nicaragua, stated the detentions are linked to alleged expressions of support for the US operation that seized Maduro in Caracas.
The NGO confirmed that as of Friday, 49 individuals remained in detention without clear information on their legal status. A further nine have been released, while three others faced temporary detention.
Arrests for 'expressions of opinion'
The crackdown appears to target public sentiment rather than criminal acts. Blue and White Monitoring stated the arrests are "based solely on expressions of opinion," citing examples such as comments on social media platforms, private celebrations in homes, or a failure to repeat official government propaganda.
These actions were reportedly enacted under a 'state of alert' ordered by Vice President Rosario Murillo following the news of Maduro's capture. This alert included increased surveillance in neighbourhoods and across social media channels, according to the exiled Nicaraguan newspaper Confidencial.
Another local publication, La Prensa, corroborated that arrests were made due to social media "posts in favour" of the American military action.
Ortega government's staunch alliance with Maduro
The arrests underscore the deep political alliance between the Nicaraguan and Venezuelan governments. President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, are long-standing, staunch allies of Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro was captured by US forces in the Venezuelan capital a week ago and has been transported to New York to face trial on serious drug and weapons charges. His wife, Cilia Flores, was also detained in the operation.
This development in Nicaragua occurs against a backdrop of shifting US policy. Former US President Donald Trump claimed he cancelled a second wave of attacks on Venezuela because the Caracas government was cooperating on oil infrastructure and had released political prisoners. Trump stated the US naval presence in the Caribbean would remain, maintaining the option for swift military action.
