León part of increasing list of journalists forced into exile by Nicaraguan authorities since 2018

Location: United States, Miami
Date: August 31, 2023

Following a family trip, Nicaraguan journalist Kimberly León, the director of Radio La Costeñísima, was denied boarding a flight from the United States to Nicaragua, as instructed by Nicaraguan authorities. The latest incident adds to the growing number of journalists forced into exile by the Ortega-Murillo regime, infringing upon their constitutional right to freedom of movement. The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses deep concern and strongly condemns Kimberly León's denied re-entrance. We demand that the Nicaraguan authorities reverse their decision and allow the journalist to return home.

Nicaraguan journalist Kimberly León, the director of Radio La Costeñísima, one of the prominent stations in the Nicaraguan Caribbean, was reportedly prohibited from re-entering the country by the Nicaraguan authorities. León was preparing to return to Nicaragua from the United States after a family trip when she was prevented from boarding a direct flight from Miami. The airline informed the journalist that Nicaraguan authorities had not authorized her and her family's entry into the country. 

León's case adds to the growing list of journalists who have been forced into exile by the Ortega-Murillo government and is yet another violation of the journalists' constitutional right to move within and outside the country freely. 

According to a report published by the regional network Voces del Sur and the Foundation for Freedom of Expression and Democracy, a staggering number of 208 Nicaraguan journalists have been forced to flee the country and seek exile for security reasons since the start of demonstrations against the government of Daniel Ortega in April 2018. This alarming statistic highlights the grave challenges journalists face in Nicaragua and the urgent need to address the deteriorating situation surrounding freedom of expression and press in the country.

Nicaragua's political and social crisis has only intensified following the controversial November 2021 elections. During these elections, President Daniel Ortega was re-elected for a fifth term, marking his fourth consecutive term in office. Notably, he was joined by his wife, Rosario Murillo, who assumed the role of vice president. The elections were widely criticized for lacking transparency and for the imprisonment of several prominent opposition figures, limiting viable contenders' presence.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands firmly behind Kimberly León and denounces the unjust decision to deny her re-entry into Nicaragua. This act of persecution and censorship towards León further exacerbates the challenges journalists face in Nicaragua. Such actions can have a chilling effect on the ability of journalists to report on important matters of public interest. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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