Nicaragua’s government has recently cracked down on various civil and religious organizations. The Ministry of the Interior has canceled the registration of numerous groups, claiming they failed to submit their financial reports.
This action targeted 151 associations, federations, and business chambers. Among the affected groups are prominent organizations such as the American Chamber of Commerce of Nicaragua (AMCHAM) and the Federation of European Chambers and Industries of Nicaragua (EUROCAM).
This recent decree, issued on August 22, also dissolved chambers of commerce with various countries, including Costa Rica, Spain, Germany, Italy, Uruguay, Mexico, and Panama. These closures happened just three days after the government had already dissolved 1,500 religious and trade organizations. 
Additionally, two days before this decree, the National Assembly, managed by the ruling party, reformed laws related to NGOs.
Since 2018, the total number of dissolved organizations has reached a significant 5,383. This figure was released by CONFIDENCIAL and reported by the Times. Earlier this year, the government revoked the legal status of Radio María, a well-loved Catholic radio station, for the same reason of not reporting financial statements from 2019 to 2023.
In the most recent actions, the government also seized the assets of the Caritas Diocesan Association of Matagalpa, which was the home diocese of the now-exiled Bishop Rolando José Alvarez.
The crackdown has drawn international concern and is seen as an attempt by the authorities to limit civil society’s influence and presence in the country. This pattern of repression severely impacts the freedom of association and expression in Nicaragua.
