Ortega shuts another Nicaragua university on “terrorist” charges

The administration of President Daniel Ortega ordered the seizure of renowned Jesuit-run Universidad Centroamericana (UCA), accusing it of “housing criminal groups” and becoming a “center of terrorism.” 

UCA let their members know about the decision last Wednesday, announcing that classes and administrative activities were suspended, after the university was informed that assets had been confiscated. Social media footage appeared to show the name of the university being removed from its entrance. 

Judicial freezing of the university’s assets and bank accounts could threaten the future of some 5,000 students and hundreds of academics. Education experts say this latest crackdown is no surprise, and part of a plan Mr. Ortega had since 2018, when many UCA students participated in massive anti-government street protests. 

Five years ago was a turning point for Nicaragua, with demonstrations in several cities against social security reforms in 2018.  Multiple abuses have since been reported as the former guerilla leader’s authoritarianism increased, along with instances of state-led repression against the press, NGOs, private institutions and, more prominently, the opposition. 

As The Brazilian Report recently explained, 26 private-run universities have already been seized by the state since the current political crisis kicked off in 2018, putting thousands of students in a limbo.

The United Nations Human Rights Office condemned the UCA seizure, and said such acts “severely affects the right to education.” Central American leaders of the Jesuit order also criticized the decision, and said this move by the government is the path to a “totalitarian government.”

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