Nicaragua closed two universities linked to the Catholic Church on Tuesday, by depriving them of legal status for “non-compliance” with laws, one day after taking the same measure with the main business unions.
The Ministry of the Interior (Interior) published in the official newspaper La Gaceta the cancellations of the legal status of the Juan Pablo II University, based in Managua and four other cities, and the Autonomous Christian University of Nicaragua (UCAN), based in León and five other cities.
The cancellation was decreed “for being in breach of their obligations under the laws that regulate them,” according to the resolution signed by the Minister of the Interior, María Amelia Coronel Kinloch.
Both universities “have hindered the control and surveillance of the General Directorate for Registration and Control of Non-Profit Organizations” of the Ministry, the resolution indicates.
The students of both institutions will be integrated into other universities and their assets will be transferred to the State, according to the regulations of Law 1115 on non-profit organizations.
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On Monday, the Government canceled the legal status of 18 business associations, including the Higher Council for Private Enterprise (COSEP), which brings together other employer chambers.
This decision is in addition to other measures by the leftist government of Daniel Ortega that have earned him international isolation.
The authorities of the two universities will have to deliver to the National Council of Universities (CNU) all the “information on students, teachers, careers, study plans, enrollment databases and qualifications (Academic Registry).”
