CIVICUS discusses a new wave of closures of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nicaragua with the team from the Central American Association for Development and Democracy (ACDD).

ACDD was formed in Costa Rica in 2021 as a continuation of the Federation Nicaraguan Network for Democracy and Local Development, a platform established in 1994, with legal personality since 2006, which was cancelled by the authorities in February 2019.

In recent weeks, the Nicaraguan government has forced a mass closure of CSOs, including foundations, schools and churches. This means over 5,500 organisations have closed since 2018. President Daniel Ortega has accused civil society and the Catholic Church of supporting opposition protests that he describes as part of a coup attempt.

What triggered this new wave of CSO closures?

This is a longstanding process. The closure of organisations began in 2007 with eight media outlets. Between 2007 and 2024, the authoritarian regime led by President Daniel Ortega arbitrarily closed almost 80 per cent of Nicaragua’s non-profit organisations. The biggest wave of closures occurred in 2022, with the shutdown of 3,168 organisations. A new mass wave is now underway, with 1,889 organisations closed so far in 2024. These include not only NGOs, but also leisure and cultural associations, media outlets, trade unions, universities, women’s groups and, above all, religious organisations.

Several factors account for this new wave of repression. It’s a response to the constant work these organisations do to document human rights violations and conduct international advocacy, which the regime is trying to silence. Additionally, the regime suspects the funds these organisations channel, mainly remittances from Nicaraguans abroad, are being used to support critics and opponents inside Nicaragua. For this reason, the measures announced along with CSO closures have included increased control over remittances. The regime is also desperate to raise more money, which is why it wants the previously exempt churches to pay taxes. It is no coincidence that more than half of the organisations closed in August are religious associations, mainly catholic and evangelical.

The government is trying to put at its service the organisations it has not shut down. But even in the CSOs the state is trying to control, there are still people who remain committed to their causes. CSOs are not just offices or legal documents; they embody ideas, goals and hopes for a better country. Although many feel intimidated and face a constant risk of reprisals, they continue to work in their communities, undeterred by fear.

How do organisations and activists manage to keep working?

Despite the repression, some organisations still manage to operate, but they do so under constant threat of closure. The situation is very uncertain because they must comply with strict regulations that are revised every month and change very frequently.

Groups and activists in exile have sought ways to support the Nicaraguan community from countries such as Costa Rica, Spain and the USA, where they have been able to register legally. However, medium and long-term funding is a great challenge. International cooperation, which for the most part has been directed towards organisations inside the country, does not take sufficiently into account that there are organisations in exile working with a Nicaraguan population that is in a precarious situation. The little support they receive limits their capacity to plan for the medium and long term and makes their activities dependent on emergency funds rather than a stable financial base.

Although diaspora organisations try to contribute to improving the situation of Nicaraguan migrants, they face difficulties due to the large number of asylum applications and the limited capacity of host countries to manage the flow of refugees. Although local solidarity and support networks exist, they are often insufficient to address a large-scale problem.

What are the prospects for a democratic transition?

At the moment there’s no prospect of a democratic transition in Nicaragua. Civic space is closed, virtually destroyed, and prospects for change are limited, if not non-existent. The regime has systematically ignored international recommendations to restore human rights and promote a democratisation process.

I wish I could say we’re working with an eye to the 2026 elections, trying to ensure some degree of competitiveness and transparency in the electoral process. But right now it seems very unlikely that the government will allow the participation of opposition political parties in conditions that enable them to compete freely.

What international support does Nicaraguan civil society need?

Civil society in Nicaragua has so far received international support, particularly in emergency situations. Since 2018, this support has included assistance for those who have been forced to leave due to protests and university closures. Countries such as Australia, Canada, Spain and the USA have implemented safe mobility programmes, allowing Nicaraguans to settle legally, with access to work and residence permits.

But the situation remains difficult. There’s a need for sustained funding for the organisations and people involved, as well as greater international protection for those who have had to leave Nicaragua. We also need the recognition and accreditation of professional qualifications obtained in Nicaraguan universities to facilitate the integration of displaced people in their new countries. These people need ongoing support to help them adapt and take new initiatives forward.