Government of Nicaragua Shuts Down 1,500 NGOs, Transferring Assets to State
Recent reports in Nicaragua have revealed a shocking development where the legal status of 1,500 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has been revoked by the government. The decision, approved by Interior Minister María Amelia Coronel and published in Nicaragua’s official gazette, La Gaceta, has led to the transfer of assets belonging to these organizations to the state.
According to the government, the NGOs in question failed to meet certain obligations, including the submission of financial statements spanning several years, details on income, expenses, donations, and board members. Interestingly, the affected NGOs were not given any prior notice, as reported by independent sources like 100% Noticias and La Prensa.
Under the new mandate, the Attorney General’s Office will oversee the transfer of assets on behalf of the State of Nicaragua. This unprecedented move follows Vice President Rosario Murillo’s call for a new model of collaboration between NGOs and the government, where organizations will be required to work closely with state institutions to carry out their initiatives.
The crackdown has not spared any sector, with a large number of the shuttered organizations being affiliated with evangelical communities. Even Catholic entities, like the diocesan Caritas of Granada, have not been exempt. Sports associations, charitable organizations, and indigenous groups also find themselves on the list of affected NGOs.
This mass shutdown is just the latest in a series of government actions targeting civil society. Since the start of widespread protests in 2018, over 5,200 NGOs have faced dissolution. This move underscores the growing restrictions faced by organizations operating in Nicaragua.
