Five years have passed since the burning of Radio Darío, in the department of León, after the station was reduced to ashes on April 20, 2018. The attack occurred during social protests against the Daniel Ortega regime.
“They are burning radio darioplease share this video!», exclaimed a journalist from the university city station, the night of the accident, as he approached the lit facilities, set by screams and sobs.
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Despite the fact that the attacks, sieges and intimidation against the workers, journalists and its director continued, Anibal Toruno, the outlet continued to report, until the Ortega dictatorship closed it, in August 2022, after 73 years of existence.
Added to the attacks against the radio station was the recent stripping of Toruño’s nationality, as well as the confiscation of his property. It was also known that in the building, where Radio Darío was installed, the Leonese commune was carrying out construction, where it is presumed that a police station will be built.
In interview with Article 66Aníbal Toruño expressed that despite the censorship imposed by Ortega, he had to “reinvent himself” in order to continue reporting.
«You have to understand that the radio that was known no longer exists and now you have to adapt to the new times, but the most important thing is that we have overcome censorship and the bad times and the desires —of the Daniel Ortega dictatorship— to want to turn off the microphone that was founded 73 years ago,” he said.
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He added that Radio Darío continues to be a bulwark and part of “the enormous capacity that journalists and the media have to continue facing this enormous crisis that Nicaragua is experiencing.”
journalism in resistance
Referring to the exile of which he is a victim, like more than 300 Nicaraguans, Toruño said that as a journalist it is clear that he is facing a “great challenge” and that Ortega continues with his repressive wave.
“My situation has been so complex and complicated that it allows nothing but exile and then having to plant a journalism in resistance and catacombs that we have left in Nicaragua,” he said.
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He also said that his greatest desire is to return to Nicaragua to continue working for journalism. “I have not unpacked my suitcase, despite the fact that – the Ortega regime – says through a daring resolution, outside of all rights and unconstitutional that I am not Nicaraguan, but I always will be.”
“He—Ortega—in his attempt to want to do harm, went to the records and eliminated them, but my nationality is in my DNA, and neither Daniel Ortega nor anyone else is going to take away my right to be a Nicaraguan citizen (… ), although the challenges are immense and we have no choice but to reinvent ourselves».
The radio businessman took the opportunity to thank the professional work of the radio workers for their commitment to journalism. “Some stayed, others left or withdrew, but none of that takes away from those who were with us being great people.”
He also indicated that he is currently “putting together the pieces of dreams that have been disrupted, and being able to rebuild them; that takes time, although it is painful and difficult.
Despite the dictatorship’s attacks, the director of Radio Darío affirmed that he managed to pardon the presidential couple. “Daniel Ortega, Rosario Murillo and all their camaraderie will have to render an account to the Lord and to earthly justice for the crimes against humanity that they have committed: I am not the one who will judge them, there is evidence that is clear and reliable,” he concluded.
