Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Date of Detainment: August/1/2024

Date of Release: August/7/2024

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

Silvio Josué Romero Juárez

Extra Bio Info:

Silvio Josúe Romero Juárez was detained for his affiliation with the Catholic Church and his religious leadership role.

On August 1, 2024, the authorities arrested Juárez, the parish priest of the San Francisco de Asís parish in Juigalpa, Chontales. Juárez's arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. 

On August 7, 2024, the Nicaraguan government exiled Juárez to the Vatican. 

Related cases: Frutos Constantino Valle Salmerón, Ulises René Vega Matamoros, Raúl Francisco Villegas, Victor Salvador Godoy Morales, Harvin Tórrez, Jairo Pravia Flores, Edgar Luis Sacasa Sierra, Marlon Velásquez Flores

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Date of Detainment: August/2/2024

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Raúl Francisco Villegas

Extra Bio Info:

Raúl Francisco Villegas is detained for his religious association and leadership role.

On August 2, 2024, the authorities arrested Villegas, the parish priest of the Nuestra Señora de Guadelupe church in Matiguás. Villegas's arrest came amid a government crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. 

Publicly Available Information:

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Date of Detainment: August/2/2024

Date of Release: August/7/2024

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

Marlon Velásquez Flores

Extra Bio Info:

Marlon Velásquez Flores was detained for his affiliation with the Catholic Church and his religious leadership role.

On August 2, 2024, the authorities arrested Flores, a priest as well as the administrator of both the Santa Lucía parish in Ciudad Darío and the San Francisco de Asís Nursing Home in Villa Chagüitillo de Sébaco. Flores's arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.

On August 7, 2024, the Nicaraguan government exiled Flores to the Vatican.

Related cases: Frutos Constantino Valle Salmerón, Ulises René Vega Matamoros, Raúl Francisco Villegas, Victor Salvador Godoy Morales, Harvin Tórrez, Jairo Pravia Flores, Edgar Luis Sacasa Sierra, Silvio Josúe Romero Juárez