In a troubling development on Sunday night, Oct. 1, the authoritarian regime in Nicaragua carried out the arrest of two Catholic priests hailing from the Diocese of Estelí and another from the Diocese of Jinotega, both situated in the northern region of the Central American nation.

The respected newspaper El Confidencial confirmed the identities of the detained priests in Estelí, an area overseen by the imprisoned bishop Rolando Álvarez. Those apprehended include Father Julio Ricardo Norori from the St. John the Evangelist Parish in San Juan del Río Coco, Madriz Department, and Father Iván Centeno from Immaculate Conception of Mary Parish in Jalapa, Nueva Segovia Department.

Additionally, reports suggest that a third priest, Father Cristóbal Gadea, serving as the pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church in the El Cuá sector of Jinotega Department, was also detained.

Initial reports had mentioned the arrest of a fourth priest, Father Erick Ramírez Velásquez of Christ the King Parish in Telpaneca, Madriz Department. However, the church later confirmed his safety on Oct. 2 via their Facebook page.

The motives behind these arrests remain shrouded in mystery, leaving both the local and international communities deeply concerned.

According to insider information reported by La Prensa, these arrests were not carried out by the police but by unidentified individuals traveling in Toyota Hilux pickup trucks. The whereabouts of the detained priests are currently unknown, but there is a belief that they may have been transferred to the capital, Managua.

Prominent Nicaraguan researcher and lawyer, Martha Patricia Molina, took to Facebook on Oct. 2 to assert that "paramilitaries and police began an intimidation and kidnapping operation against the priests and parishioners."

She noted that while three priests were kidnapped, at least five others were subjected to threats and intimidation before being released. The Diocese of León also reported instances of police intimidation.

Molina emphasized that the arrested priests were known for their outspoken homilies, particularly their focus on Gospel themes and daily injustices.

Reacting to the distressing news, the exiled auxiliary bishop of Managua, Silvio José Báez, decried the "ferocious persecution against the Catholic Church" by the "Sandinista dictatorship of Daniel Ortega." He appealed to the global Church community, urging them to pray for Nicaragua and the beleaguered Catholic Church within its borders.