UN Experts Accuse Nicaragua of Funding Repression and Targeting Exiles

“Repression and institutional corruption have become the governing method in Nicaragua under the control of the Ortega-Murillo family,” said Jan-Michael Simon, Chair of the Group of Experts.

A United Nations panel of human rights experts has accused the Government of Nicaragua of financing political repression through the illegal diversion of public funds and operating a transnational surveillance network to target critics abroad, according to a new report presented to the UN Human Rights Council.

The report by the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua says repression under the leadership of Co-Presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo has become systemic, institutionalized and increasingly international in scope.

“Repression and institutional corruption have become the governing method in Nicaragua under the control of the Ortega-Murillo family,” said Jan-Michael Simon, Chair of the Group of Experts.

“Political persecution is financed by the State, executed through its institutions, and extended across borders to ensure that no one – absolutely no one – stands in the way of the regime.”

Public Funds Allegedly Used to Finance Crackdowns

Drawing on dozens of interviews and extensive documentary evidence, the report describes how government funds have allegedly been diverted since 2018 to finance security operations, armed pro-government groups and ruling party activities.

Investigators say a parallel financial structure within the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) was created to channel resources into repression.

Funds originally allocated for:

• Social assistance programs

• Municipal cleaning projects

• Operational government expenses

were allegedly redirected to support violent security operations, including the 2018 “Operation Clean-up” crackdown on nationwide protests.

“The misuse and diversion of public resources have directly contributed to the commission of serious human rights violations,” said Reed Brody, member of the expert group.

“Repression in Nicaragua is not improvised – it is structured and corruptly financed.”

Global Surveillance and Targeting of Exiles

The report also describes an extensive transnational surveillance and intelligence network used to monitor, intimidate and attack Nicaraguan critics living abroad.

Hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans have fled the country since the political crisis erupted in 2018.

The report says the government has:

• Stripped 452 citizens of their nationality

• Rendered thousands effectively stateless by refusing to renew identification documents

• Prevented exiles from returning to Nicaragua

• Conducted surveillance and harassment abroad

• Used smear campaigns, hacking and digital harassment

• Confiscated property of critics and retaliated against family members

Investigators also documented the misuse of INTERPOL mechanisms and coordinated intelligence operations involving multiple state institutions.

At least a dozen cases of killings or attempted killings of government critics abroad have been reported, including the June 2025 assassination in Costa Rica of retired army major and government critic Roberto Samcam.

Diplomatic Networks Used in Repression

According to the report, Nicaragua has used a multi-layered intelligence structure that integrates:

• The army

• National police

• Migration authorities

• The telecommunications regulator TELCOR

• Diplomatic missions

• Operatives linked to the ruling FSLN party

Experts alleged that Valdrack Ludwing Jaentschke Whitaker, currently serving as co-foreign minister, was involved in coordinating aspects of transnational repression during earlier diplomatic postings abroad between 2021 and 2023.

“Diplomatic and consular structures have been instrumentalized to track, monitor and intimidate exiled Nicaraguans,” said Ariela Peralta, member of the expert group.

“This is a deliberate policy to eliminate dissent wherever it may be.”

Gendered Pattern of Repression

The report also highlights the gendered dimension of Nicaragua’s crackdown.

Women human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and community leaders—along with LGBTIQ+ activists—have been subjected to:

• Political persecution

• Gender-based violence

• Public shaming and smear campaigns

“These gendered patterns of violations do not occur in isolation,” Peralta said.

“They form part of a deliberate repressive strategy aimed at punishing women and feminist movements for their long-standing leadership as autonomous political actors.”

Possible Crimes Against Humanity

The UN panel reiterated its previous conclusion that the violations committed since 2018 may constitute crimes against humanity under international law.

As Nicaragua has withdrawn from several UN bodies and discontinued cooperation with the Human Rights Council, the group warned that international accountability mechanisms are becoming increasingly important.

Calls for Global Accountability Measures

The experts urged the international community to pursue multiple accountability measures, including:

• Universal jurisdiction prosecutions

• Targeted international sanctions

• Treaty-based litigation mechanisms

• Stronger protection for Nicaraguan exiles

They also warned against the misuse of international financial and legal systems by Nicaraguan authorities.

“The longer action is delayed, the greater the harm and the deeper the consequences,” said Simon.

Demands for Political and Institutional Reform

The report calls on Nicaragua’s government to dismantle what it describes as the “architecture of repression.”

Key recommendations include:

• Repealing restrictive laws and constitutional reforms introduced since 2018

• Dissolving paramilitary and parastate structures

• Restoring separation of powers

• Releasing all political prisoners

• Guaranteeing freedoms for civil society, media and religious institutions

The group also urged Nicaragua to allow unrestricted access to international monitoring bodies, including the UN expert panel.

“We stand ready to engage directly and constructively with the authorities,” said Brody.

“We are prepared to travel to Nicaragua to monitor progress and support the implementation of human rights reforms.”