"Nicaragua Escalates Crackdown on Catholic Clergy Amid International Concerns"

The Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski, has highlighted the severe persecution of Catholic priests in Nicaragua by President Daniel Ortega's administration, with the latest arrest being that of Rev. Gustavo Sandino. The crackdown has included the targeting of multiple priests and the closure of Catholic institutions. Pope Francis and exiled bishop Silvio José Báez have condemned the actions, with the Pope calling the Sandinista leadership a "gross dictatorship." The situation has led to a significant number of refugees fleeing to South Florida. The Nicaraguan government's actions are seen as a test of U.S. resolve, with the Ortega-Murillo family seeking greater control over the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.