Additional Name(s): Monseñor Carlos Avilés

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Date of Detainment: December/28/2023

Date of Release: January/14/2024

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Carlos Avilés

Extra Bio Info:

Carlos Avilés was detained for his religious leadership role.

On December 28, 2023, police arrested Avilés, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Managua and priest of Cristo de las Colinas Parish, under unclear circumstances. His arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. Avilés had been critical of the Nicaraguan government in years prior, including its religious freedom record.

On January 14, 2024, Avilés was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.

Related Cases: Silvio FonsecaHéctor TreminioFernando CaleroMarcos Díaz PradoMykel MonterreyRaúl ZamoraGerardo RodríguezMiguel MánticaJader HernándezErvin López

Additional Name(s): Father Héctor Treminio Vega

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Date of Detainment: December/28/2023

Date of Release: January/14/2024

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Héctor Treminio

Extra Bio Info:

Héctor Treminio was detained for his religious leadership role.

On December 28, 2023, police arrested Treminio, parish priest of the Santo Cristo de Esquipulas Church in Managua and treasurer of the Archdiocese of Managua, under unclear circumstances. His arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. In 2020, Treminio criticized the wealth of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's family in a homily.

On January 14, 2024, Treminio was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.

Related Cases: Silvio FonsecaCarlos AvilésFernando CaleroMarcos Díaz PradoMykel MonterreyRaúl ZamoraGerardo RodríguezMiguel MánticaJader HernándezErvin López

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Date of Detainment: December/29/2023

Date of Release: January/14/2024

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Silvio Fonseca

Extra Bio Info:

Silvio Fonseca was detained for his religious expression and his religious leadership role.

On December 29, 2023, Nicaraguan authorities arrested Silvio Fonseca, the vicar of Family, Life, and Childhood in the Archdiocese of Managua. Fonseca has openly criticized the government's religious freedom violations. His arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.

On January 14, 2024, Fonseca was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.

Related Cases: Héctor TreminioCarlos AvilésFernando CaleroMarcos Díaz PradoMykel MonterreyRaúl ZamoraGerardo RodríguezMiguel MánticaJader HernándezErvin López