In interview with Article 66, the former politician Alex Hernandezexiled from Nicaragua by the Daniel Ortega regime, described Monsignor Rolando Álvarez as “a living saint”, after the prelate refused to be expelled from the country, which cost him a sentence of 26 years in prison and the loss of Nicaraguan nationality.
The opponent, originally from the municipality of Catarina, in the department of Masaya, affirmed that all the political kidnappers who were captive in “El Nuevo Chipote” were surprised to learn the news that the bishop of Matagalpa had been imprisoned.
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However, he points out that somehow the prisoners of conscience knew that Álvarez would not accept exile, if at some point the dictatorship had conditioned him to release him.
«We heard rumors that the monsignor had been offered to leave the country, and that he said; “I’m not leaving, unless they all leave.” When we were on the plane, we expected to see him get on, but he never got on,” said the also member of the Blue and White National Unit (Unab).
For Hernández, Monsignor Álvarez “got away with it (…) He made him believe – the Ortega regime – that he was going to leave, but in the end we all came and he stayed.”
“I believe that the monsignor is imprisoned with his head held high, because what matters to him is the freedom of his spirit and there is no cell that can take away that freedom,” he stressed.
Condemns monsignor “it was out of anger and rage”
Regarding the conviction of crimes of treason against the homeland, for allegedly violating Law 1055, Law of Sovereignty, Alex Hernández pointed out that the action of the dictator Daniel Ortega was out of “anger and rage”, for not having managed to get him out of Nicaragua.
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“God is with Monsignor Álvarez and I am sure that he keeps him strong, and that annoyed the one who had put us in prison —Daniel Ortega—, for this reason, the 26 years in prison, was a reaction of anger and rage, knowing that the The main person he wanted to see outside the country, in the end caused him an affront,” he said.
“I believe that in some way, I don’t know at what level, I would dare to say that Monsignor Álvarez got us out of jail and sacrificed himself for us.” And monsignor, as far as I am, I thank you and my heart is with you, and the important thing is that your spirit is free because nothing can lock it up, added the former political prisoner.
On the other hand, the political activist thanked the United States, “as well as the Latin American community that was fighting for us and the Nicaraguan people who remain strong and active in the fight.”
The young opponent concluded by stating that since the exile of which he was a victim, together with 221 other former political prisoners, he will continue to demand the freedom of the more than 30 opponents who are still locked up in the different jails of Nicaragua.
