UN Report Blames Nicaragua for Eight In-Custody Deaths

The UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua released a report on Tuesday finding the Nicaraguan government responsible for at least eight deaths in custody since 2018. The report condemns the administration of co-Presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo for canceling elections and crushing dissent.

Investigators highlighted the death of Indigenous Miskito leader Brooklyn Rivera, noting that an assessment by Physicians for Human Rights found the official medical explanation for his death not medically coherent. The report also cited failures of care in the deaths of Carlos Cárdenas Zepeda, Hugo Torres, and Humberto Ortega, while documenting the disappearance of at least 161 people.

Co-President Rosario Murillo disputed the findings regarding Brooklyn Rivera, maintaining that he received family support and medical care during his illness. The UN experts have called for the release of political prisoners and the disclosure of information regarding 29 missing persons.