Nicaragua strips 94 political opponents, including journalists, of citizenship
A Nicaraguan appeals court stripped 94 government opponents, including exiled journalists Carlos Fernando Chamorro and Alvaro Navarro, of their citizenship, days after President Daniel Ortega released 222 political prisoners to the United States and immediately declared them stateless too.123
- Country
- Nicaragua (RSF 2026 rank: 168th of 180)
- Where
- NI
- Level of government
- National
- Tactics
- Expulsion and visa denial, Official labels
- Stage
- Eliminate (see the ladder)
- Head of government at the time
- Daniel Ortega
- Issue of the day
- The rulings followed years of pressure on Nicaragua's independent press, including the earlier forced closure of the country's oldest newspaper, La Prensa, and came days after Ortega's government released 222 jailed dissidents to the United States and stripped their citizenship as well.
- Outcome
- Sustained. Citizenship was not restored to those named; Ortega's government continued comparable actions against critics afterward.
- Era
- The 2020s
What happened
On February 15, 2023, a Nicaraguan appeals court stripped 94 government opponents, described in the ruling as human rights defenders, politicians, journalists and students, of their Nicaraguan citizenship, on top of 222 political prisoners flown to the United States days earlier who had already been declared stateless. Journalists Carlos Fernando Chamorro and Alvaro Navarro were among those named. Appeals Court Justice Ernesto Rodriguez Mejia said those affected were guilty of "spreading false news" and conspiring to undermine national integrity. Navarro responded that he remained Nicaraguan regardless of the ruling. Civil Rights Defenders said Ortega was clearly trying to eliminate anyone who stood up against his government and called for international bodies to raise Nicaragua's deteriorating human rights record.1234
What reason was given
The court found those whose citizenship had been revoked guilty of "spreading false news" and "conspiracy to undermine national integrity."1
What changed for reporting
Exiled Nicaraguan journalists, already unable to work safely inside the country, lost their legal nationality entirely, cutting off their ability to hold a Nicaraguan passport or return under any legal status.2
Timeline
2023
Who acted
| Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Ortega | ordered | President of Nicaragua |
| Nicaraguan Court of Appeals | enforced | Appellate court that issued the citizenship-stripping rulings |
Outlets and journalists
| Name | Kind | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| La Prensa | outlet | affected |
| Carlos Fernando Chamorro | journalist, La Prensa | affected |
Sources
- Nicaragua strips 94 political opponents of citizenship
- Nicaragua: Political opposition stripped of citizenship
Claims cited
- The appeals court justice said those whose citizenship had been revoked were guilty of spreading false news and conspiring against national integrity.
spreading false news
Nicaragua strips 94 political opponents of citizenship, Al Jazeera, 2023-02-16. Claim 428, checked 2026-09-22. - Journalist Alvaro Navarro said he remained Nicaraguan regardless of the government's ruling.
I am Nicaraguan by the grace of God… if they think they're going to bring me to my knees, they are tangled.
Nicaragua strips 94 political opponents of citizenship, Al Jazeera, 2023-02-16. Claim 429, checked 2026-09-22. - Civil Rights Defenders said Ortega was clearly trying to eliminate anyone who opposed his government.
Daniel Ortega is clearly attempting to get rid of all those who dare stand up against his regime.
Nicaragua: Political opposition stripped of citizenship, Civil Rights Defenders, 2023-02-17. Claim 430, checked 2026-09-22. - The appeals court justice announced the loss of citizenship of the 94 people on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, according to Al Jazeera's report of February 16.
The 94 people were “traitors” and would have their properties confiscated, Appeals Court Justice Ernesto Rodríguez Mejía said in a statement on Wednesday.
Nicaragua strips 94 political opponents of citizenship, Al Jazeera, 2023-02-16. Claim 486, checked 2026-09-22.