The Nicaraguan government has implemented new policies that could significantly impact churches and ministries across the country, raising concerns among religious freedom advocates. Under President Daniel Ortega’s regime, tithes and offerings are now subject to taxes, with reports suggesting rates could reach up to 30%.
These measures come on the heels of a sweeping government action that saw the closure of 1,500 churches and nonprofits. The government’s move, which targets organizations failing to meet stringent financial reporting requirements, has sparked fears of increasing state control over religious institutions.
The new law, introduced by President Ortega and approved by the Asamblea Nacional on August 20, mandates that religious organizations form formal partnerships with the Nicaraguan government to carry out their work. According to Vice President Rosario Murillo, this will supposedly enhance transparency and legal security. However, critics argue that this is an attempt to suppress religious autonomy and coerce churches into compliance with government agendas.
The closures have primarily affected evangelical ministries, including numerous Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian churches. Many of these organizations, especially smaller neighborhood churches, have now had their assets confiscated by the state. The Catholic Church has also been significantly impacted, with many of its affiliated organizations losing legal status.
A spokesperson for the Netherlands-based Observatory of Religious Freedom in Latin America (ORFLA), who requested anonymity, expressed concern that these actions aim to diminish the vital role that churches play in their communities. “The government wants to overshadow the influence of these institutions so that only the state holds power,” the spokesperson said.
In recent years, the Nicaraguan government has intensified its crackdown on religious organizations, citing reasons such as money laundering and non-compliance with financial regulations. This latest wave of closures and the introduction of tithes taxation represent a further tightening of control over religious life in the country.
While some local pastors, like Ismael Jara of Iglesia Bautista Sendero de Luz in Ciudad Sandino, have downplayed the severity of the situation, arguing that it could lead to better organization and transparency within the church, others remain deeply concerned about the broader implications for religious freedom.
Internationally, the situation has drawn sharp criticism. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recently labeled Nicaragua as a country of particular concern, citing severe violations of religious rights. The commission has recommended that the US government impose sanctions on Nicaraguan officials involved in the persecution of religious communities.
As the Ortega administration continues its campaign against religious institutions, the future of religious freedom in Nicaragua remains uncertain. The international community watches closely as the government enforces these controversial policies, which many fear could lead to the further erosion of religious rights in the country.
