United Nations: The United Nations has called on the Nicaraguan government to clarify the fate and whereabouts of more than 120 individuals who have reportedly been forcibly disappeared since the violent suppression of anti-government protests in 2018. The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances stated that these cases involve a broad spectrum of individuals, including those without known political affiliations, who were perceived as dissenting with official positions. The disappearances are believed to be orchestrated at the highest levels of authority to instill fear across society.

The UN experts emphasized that the actual number of missing individuals could be higher, as many families and legal representatives are afraid to report due to fear of reprisals. They also noted that despite repeated requests since 2018, they have received no official response from the Nicaraguan government, which has not cooperated despite offers of technical assistance. The experts called on authorities to end arbitrary detentions and investigate human rights violations.

This call for accountability comes amid a broader pattern of repression by the Ortega-Murillo administration, which has been accused of targeting political opponents both domestically and abroad. The UN has documented instances of arbitrary detentions, torture, and suppression of dissent, with reports indicating that at least 229 political prisoners have been tortured over the past seven years.

The international community continues to pressure the Nicaraguan government to uphold human rights and provide clarity on the fate of those who have disappeared.