Nicaragua: Regime Expels Nohelia González from the Country
Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns, demands immediate end to state’s crackdown on dissent
Location: Nicaragua,Veracruz
Date: July 10, 2024
In a continued assault on press freedom, the Ortega regime of Nicaragua has expelled veteran journalist Nohelia González from the country. This expulsion, due to González's association with the Catholic channel and its vocal critic, Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, is just the latest in the regime's ruthless crackdown on dissent. Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns this blatant attack on independent journalism and demands that González is allowed to return home and continue her work free from state harassment. The Nicaraguan government’s actions have forced over 200 journalists into exile since 2018, a devastating blow to the country's media landscape. Its oppressive tactics against journalists, as documented by Women Press Freedom, include barring entry to citizens, detention, expulsion, and stripping critical journalists of their nationality and residency. Women Press Freedom calls on international bodies and press freedom advocates to intensify pressure on the Ortega regime, urging them to restore press freedom and protect the rights of journalists. We must stand in solidarity with Nicaraguan journalists who face intense persecution, ensuring their safety and ability to report without fear of retribution.
Nohelia González, a distinguished journalist with experience across various national media outlets, was forcibly removed from her Veracruz home by police at 6 a.m. on July 10, 2024. She was taken to Augusto C. Sandino International Airport by authorities and expelled to Panama.
Multiple sources, including the digital media platforms 100% Noticias and Alertas Libertad de Prensa Nicaragua, have confirmed her expulsion.
González's professional relationship with Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, a Catholic bishop and vocal critic of the Nicaraguan government, appears to be a factor in her expulsion. Monsignor Álvarez is well-known for his opposition to the policies of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo. His outspoken stance led to his imprisonment and eventual exile to Rome.
González worked closely with Monsignor Álvarez at the Catholic channel, where she presented the interview program "Pueblo de Dios." This program frequently featured discussions on the country’s political crisis, the role of the Church, and broader socio-political issues, often critiquing the government’s actions. Her association with Monsignor Álvarez and her participation in these critical dialogues may have made her a target for the regime.
The expulsion of González is part of a broader pattern of press repression under the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. According to the director of the Foundation for Freedom of Expression and Democracy (FLED), Guillermo Medrano, the situation for the press in the country is dire.
"There are already 208 journalists in exile, which signifies a catastrophic scenario for the independent press in Nicaragua,” says Medrano. “The government supporters remain, while critical voices are systematically silenced."
“The Nicaraguan oppressive tactics against journalists include barring entry to citizens, detention, expulsion, and stripping critical journalists of their nationality and residency”
The Ortega regime has increasingly targeted journalists, human rights defenders, opposition leaders, and religious figures, particularly those within the Catholic Church. Women Press Freedom has documented numerous concerning violations directed at women journalists in Nicaragua. In May 2023, journalist Hazel Zamora was arrested and accused of spreading false information, potentially facing a harsh 10-year sentence if convicted. In August 2023, Honduran journalist Kenia Gonzalez was deported from Nicaragua, branded as "persona non grata'' due to her critiques of the government's treatment of the Catholic Church. In the same month, Nicaraguan journalist Kimberly León, director of Radio La Costeñísima, was barred from re-entering Nicaragua after a family trip to the United States, in yet another display of the regime's stringent measures against dissenting voices.
Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned by the continued oppression of journalists and government critics by the Ortega regime. The expulsion of Nohelia González and the targeting of her colleagues is unjust. We demand an immediate end to this persecution. González must be allowed to return to Nicaragua and continue her work without harassment and intimidation.
We call on international organizations, states, and institutions that value democracy and press freedom to speak out against the Nicaraguan regime. Urgent and decisive action is needed to protect press freedom and uphold the safety of journalists in the country.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
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.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.