Nicaraguan Diaspora Marks Eighth Anniversary of 2018 Uprising with Global Calls for Justice and Democratic Transition
Exiled Nicaraguans gathered in San José, Miami, and other global cities to demand justice for the 300+ victims of the 2018 Ortega-Murillo crackdown.
By: AXL Media
Published: Apr 20, 2026, 10:29 AM EDT
Source: The Tico Times
A Global Mobilization for Memory
Eight years after the initial wave of civil unrest in Nicaragua, hundreds of exiles gathered in San José, Costa Rica, and major U.S. cities—including Miami, Washington, and New York—to ensure the victims of 2018 are not forgotten. The commemorations featured religious services and public displays of photographs representing the more than 300 individuals killed during the state's response to the protests. Participants emphasized that the pursuit of international justice remains the primary obstacle to any future peace or democratic reconciliation within the Central American nation.
The Role of the Church and Exiled Leadership
In San José, thousands of refugees attended a homily at the San Francisco church, a site that has become a symbolic sanctuary for Nicaraguans. High-profile figures, such as Claudia Vargas (widow of the recently killed Roberto Samcam) and exiled Auxiliary Bishop Silvio Báez, led the calls for accountability. Speaking from Miami, Báez characterized the Ortega-Murillo administration as a "criminal dictatorship," highlighting the systematic stripping of nationality and the forced expulsion of intellectuals, religious leaders, and journalists that has defined the last several years of Nicaraguan governance.
International Condemnation and the 13-Point Proclamation
The anniversary prompted a 13-point proclamation from various exile organizations, directed at the UN, OAS, and the European Union. The document demands a coordinated international effort to facilitate a democratic transition. Simultaneously, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued a formal statement condemning the ongoing "impunity" in Nicaragua. The commission reiterated its call for the immediate release of all political prisoners and the cessation of the "civil death" tactics used against those who have been stripped of their citizenship and assets.