Curtis Sounds Alarm on Nicaraguan Regime’s Repression, Growing Ties with U.S. Adversaries

WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, held a hearing examining political repression in Nicaragua, the Ortega-Murillo government’s relationships with U.S. adversaries, and the implications for U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere. The hearing comes as Nicaragua’s National Assembly advances constitutional changes that would prohibit individuals designated as “traitors to the homeland” from seeking elected office and was the first Senate hearing focused on Nicaragua in 38 years. The transcript of Senator Curtis’ opening statement can be found here , and video can be found here . In his opening remarks, Curtis highlighted the government’s crackdown on political opponents, journalists, religious institutions, and civil society, while warning that the consequences extend beyond Nicaragua’s borders. He also raised concerns about Managua’s deepening relationships with Russia, Iran, Cuba, and China. During questioning, Curtis pressed witnesses on the current U.S. strategy toward Nicaragua and whether the country is receiving sufficient attention from the Administration. He also highlighted the regime’s targeting of religious institutions as an indicator of its broader assault on independent institutions and basic freedoms, emphasizing that restrictions on religious freedom can serve as a “canary in the coal mine” for broader authoritarian repression, with attacks on clergy and religious institutions often accompanying the erosion of other fundamental freedoms. The discussion focused on reports of transnational repression against Nicaraguans living abroad and he asked what additional steps the United States could take to help regional partners respond. Curtis additionally raised concerns about the growing role of Ortega and Murillo’s family in the Nicaraguan government. In April, the Treasury Department sanctioned two of their sons who serve as government officials, along with other individuals and companies connected to Nicaragua’s gold sector. The transcript of Senator Curtis’ line of questioning can be found here , and video can be found here . Background: In September, Nicaragua’s National Assembly approved in a first legislative vote constitutional amendments that would bar individuals designated as “traitors to the homeland” from running for elected office. The changes follow Ortega’s July declaration that Nicaragua would not hold elections that could return his political opponents to power; the National Assembly subsequently began developing constitutional changes to implement that directive. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned five Nicaraguan officials in February for their roles in institutions it said enable political repression, followed by additional April sanctions targeting two of Ortega and Murillo’s sons, government officials, and companies operating in the gold sector. The hearing examined political repression inside Nicaragua, reports of intimidation and surveillance extending beyond its borders, and the government’s growing relationships with U.S. adversaries and strategic competitors.