Nicaragua’s Christians Persecuted by Ortega Regime with Felix Maradiaga | Episode 49

Félix Maradiaga is a prominent figure in Central America known for his expertise in nonviolent resistance and democracy building. As a human rights advocate and thought leader in nonviolent resistance strategy, he is widely recognized as one of the leading voices within the Nicaraguan democratic opposition. Maradiaga currently serves as the President of the Foundation for the Freedom of Nicaragua. Additionally, he has initiated the international campaign EndArbitraryDetention.org to raise awareness about the predicament of political detainees all over the world.

During the widespread protests against the Daniel Ortega regime in 2018, he faced numerous criminal charges and smear campaigns. In July 2021, he was arbitrarily arrested after announcing his intentions to run for president. He was then sent to a maximum-security prison, where he endured inhumane conditions for 21 months. However, in February 2023, he and 221 other political prisoners were expelled to the United States after the regime revoked their Nicaraguan nationality and confiscated their assets.

Félix is a co-author of various books and over a hundred articles and essays. His work primarily focuses on the decay of democracy in Latin America and the collaboration of autocratic regimes worldwide. Félix has a BA in Political Science (Suma Cum Laude). He pursued his graduate studies from Harvard (MPA with honors) and the University of Barcelona (M.Eng) and was selected as a Yale World Fellow (2008).  Recognizing his courageous efforts, 25 international human rights organizations gathered in Geneva in 2023 to honor him with the Geneva Summit Courage Award.

Timestamps: 
0:00- Introduction
3:05- 1979 Fall of Somosa Regime, Sandinistas Took Control 
5:01- Coming to the USA
6:07- Contra War Was Over, Felix Returned to Nicaragua at 15
8:52- Becoming Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense
10:11- 1990, Nicaragua Had Free & Fair Elections
11:27- 2007, Sandinistas Came Back Into Power
12:07- Graduate Work, Private Consulting About Geopolitics, Traveling to 55 Countries
14:00- 2016, Becoming Head of Institute for Strategic Studies & Public Policy
15:21- Difference Between Dictatorships & Democracy
21:00- 2018, Organizing Elections
23:00- Felix in Solitary Confinement for 21 Months & 2 Assassination Attempts 
26:10- 222 Prisoners Expelled to USA 
29:07- Daniel Ortega & Rosario Murillo
30:55- Governments Who Support Ortega Regime, Government Repression
36:28- 2018, Protests and Regime Killed 400 People 
42:35- Breakdown of Christian Denominations
43:51- Ortega Regime Has Always Gone After the Catholic Church
47:45- Bishops, Priests, Religious Sisters Jailed/Expelled from Country 
51:34- Evangelical Christians are also Persecuted
53:15- Police State, Police Officer Placed at Every Mass
56:50- Where to Find Felix’s Work
1:00:50- Outro 

Music by Oleksii Holubiev