Protestant pastor and five family members released from prison after six months of arbitrary detention in Nicaragua

Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas and five others were released from prison in Nicaragua after nearly six months of arbitrary detention. The group, including family members and friends, was arrested on 17 July 2025 in Jinotepe, Carazo department, as part of a coordinated police operation. Uniformed and armed officers, wearing masks and dressed in black or blue, entered their homes without warrants. All were detained and transferred to the Third Police Station, where their mobile phones and electronic devices were confiscated. No information was provided to their families during the six-month period, which constituted an enforced disappearance.

The Mechanism for the Recognition of Political Prisoners in Nicaragua confirmed the release of 20 political prisoners, including Pastor Palacios Vargas, his sister-in-law Jéssica Palacios Vargas, his brothers-in-law Pedro José López and Armando José Bermúdez Mojica, as well as Mauricio Alonso Petri, a political activist and friend, and Mauricio Alonso Estrada, a member of the church praise group. Olga María Lara Rojas, a friend and former political adviser, was also among those arrested. All were detained without arrest warrants, and their families were not informed of their whereabouts.

Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas, Jéssica Palacios, and Armando Bermúdez were released under house arrest, with restrictions on their movements and surveillance. Olga Lara Rojas, Mauricio Alonso Estrada, and Pedro José López were released under precautionary measures requiring regular police station visits. Mauricio Alonso Petri, however, died while in detention in August 2025.

Pastor Efrén Antonio Vilchez López, who has been imprisoned since May 2022 on false charges, was not among those released. He is currently serving a 23-year sentence for publicly condemning the government’s use of violence against protesters during the April 2018 demonstrations.

The arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of these individuals highlight the ongoing challenges faced by religious and political activists in Nicaragua. The lack of transparency and due process underscores the need for accountability and justice. Micah 6:8 calls for justice, mercy, and humility in service, which remains a relevant reminder in the pursuit of truth and fairness.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)