Religious Freedom Under Threat in Nicaragua

Pastor Palacios Vargas fled Nicaragua in July 2018 after denouncing the government’s violent crackdown on student protests. In 2019, authorities revoked the legal status of his church. Since his return in December 2020, he has been under constant surveillance and de facto house arrest.

Dear friends,

We are deeply concerned by the continued detention of Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas, founder of La Roca de Nicaragua Church Association, along with seven members of his family and community. These individuals were forcibly taken from their homes in Jinotepe, Carazo Department last month in a violent operation carried out by heavily armed police and masked individuals. No warrants were presented, and personal electronic devices were confiscated.

As a Christian organization, we strongly condemn this unjust and alarming act of repression. The arrest of Pastor Palacios and his loved ones is a clear violation of religious freedom and due process. We stand in solidarity with the Nicaraguan church and all those suffering under increasing government hostility toward faith-based communities.

We call on the Nicaraguan authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Pastor Palacios and the others detained, and to respect the fundamental rights of all citizens to worship freely and without fear.

Together in His Ministry,

Paul H. Popov

Int’l President – Door of Hope international