Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Date of Detainment: August/10/2024
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: House Arrest
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief
Carmen María Sáenz Martínez
Extra Bio Info:
Carmen María Sáenz Martínez is under house arrest for her religious affiliation.
On August 10, 2024, authorities arrested Martínez, who worked at the Diocese of Matagalpa on marriage annulment cases. Martínez's arrest came amid a government crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.
On November 29, 2025, authorities placed Martínez under house arrest.
Publicly Available Information:
- "Dictatorship in Nicaragua arrests two more priests and two laywomen" Catholic News Agency
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Date of Detainment: August/11/2024
Date of Release: August/17/2024
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Denis Martínez García
Extra Bio Info:
Denis Martínez García was detained for his affiliation with the Catholic Church and his religious leadership role.
On August 11, 2024, authorities arrested García, a priest and a formator at the Our Lady of Fatima Interdiocesan Seminary, on his way to celebrate mass in Managua. García's arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.
On August 17, 2024, the authorities exiled García to the Vatican.
Related cases: Leonel Balmaceda
Publicly Available Information:
- "Dictatorship in Nicaragua arrests two more priests and two laywomen" Catholic News Agency
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Date of Detainment: August/10/2024
Date of Release: August/17/2024
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Leonel Balmaceda
Extra Bio Info:
Leonel Balmaceda was detained for his affiliation with the Catholic Church and his religious leadership role.
On August 10, 2024, authorities arrested Balmaceda, parish priest of the Jesús de Caridad parish in La Trinidad, Estelí. Balmaceda's arrest came amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.
On August, 17, 2024, the authorities exiled Balmaceda to the Vatican.
Related cases: Denis Martínez García
Publicly Available Information:
- "Dictatorship in Nicaragua arrests two more priests and two laywomen" Catholic News Agency