Authorities in Nicaragua have detained at least 60 people for reportedly celebrating or expressing support for the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces. The arrests, reported by local media and human rights groups, come amid heightened tensions in the country.
Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo are close allies of Maduro. He was captured in Caracas last Saturday and transferred to New York to face charges related to drugs and weapons.
The human rights organization Blue and White Monitoring said many of those arrested remain in detention without clear information about their legal status. Of the 60 reported arrests, 49 are still held, nine have been released, and three were temporarily detained.
According to the group, the crackdown targets individuals based on their opinions or expressions of support for the US operation, including social media posts, private gatherings, or refusal to follow official narratives. No judicial orders were reportedly issued for these arrests.
Local media reports indicate that the detentions occurred under a “state of alert” implemented by Murillo after Maduro’s capture. The measures reportedly include neighborhood surveillance and monitoring of social media activity.
This wave of arrests has drawn international attention, highlighting concerns over freedom of expression in Nicaragua and the government’s response to political developments abroad.
