Staff Reports
In a shocking turn of events, Republican lawmakers are calling for the release of Catholic Bishop Rolando Alvarez, the only clergy member still imprisoned in Nicaragua. This is not just any bishop, folks. This is a holy man who has been preaching the good word and making a positive impact in the community. It’s a travesty that he’s been locked up for speaking out against the corrupt Ortega regime.
Bishop Alvarez found himself in hot water when he had the audacity to criticize the Ortega government’s human rights record and their closure of Catholic radio stations. And what was his reward for speaking his mind? House arrest and a phony prison sentence of 26 years. That’s right, 26 years! It’s clear that the Ortega regime is trying to silence anyone who dares to speak out against their tyranny.
House lawmakers are urging Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to release Catholic Bishop Rolando Alvarez, the only remaining cleric still jailed in the country. https://t.co/WkHJ21YhlE
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 1, 2023
During a recent hearing, Rep. Chris Smith, a stand-up guy from New Jersey, spoke out against the injustice faced by Bishop Alvarez. Smith made it clear that the bishop is being punished for being a compassionate and kind individual who has dedicated his life to serving others. It’s a shame that the Ortega regime can’t handle a little criticism without throwing a good man behind bars.
But the bishop’s plight doesn’t end there. He was not only stripped of his Nicaraguan citizenship but also hit with a hefty fine. It’s as if the Ortega regime is trying to erase him from existence. This is the kind of despicable behavior that we would expect from a dictator, not a so-called leader of a democratic country.
To make matters worse, two other individuals, whose identities remain hidden for their safety, testified before the House subcommittee about the targeted attacks on the Catholic Church by the Ortega regime. They revealed that they were coerced into making false accusations against Bishop Alvarez, painting him as a villain plotting against the government. It’s a classic case of bullying and intimidation by a government drunk on power.
Even Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar from Florida chimed in, expressing outrage at the unjust imprisonment of Bishop Alvarez. She even went as far as comparing Ortega to the notorious dictator Somoza, pointing out that not even Somoza dared to interfere with the Catholic Church. It’s a damning indictment of Ortega’s autocratic behavior.
While some in the Biden administration have taken a stance against the Nicaraguan government’s actions, there’s a clear lack of decisive action. It’s time for the administration to step up and show some backbone in standing against the oppressive Ortega regime. The world is watching, and it’s time to make it clear that the United States will not tolerate the mistreatment of those fighting for freedom and justice.
