The government of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua proposed a suspension of its diplomatic relations with the Vatican, reported this Sunday a note released by the Foreign Ministry of the Central American country.
Shortly before, a Vatican source had confirmed to Reuters that Managua ordered the closure of embassies with the Holy See.
“Between the Vatican State and the Republic of Nicaragua, a suspension of Diplomatic Relations has been proposed,” said an official note.
The decision comes after years of differences between the Ortega government and the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.
Ortega has accused the Church and priests of plotting a coup during the 2018 anti-government protests, and recently called the Catholic Church and priests “a mafia” and behind “crimes.”
“I don’t believe in popes or kings. Who is the dad? How many votes does the Pope get among the Christian people”, Ortega said in the speech.
Days before, Nicaraguan courts had sentenced Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez to 26 years in prison, and Pope Francis expressed his concern for the religious.
Last week, Francisco compared the government of Daniel Ortega to the “Hitler dictatorship” during a wide-ranging interview with the Infobae news site.
“With great respect, I have no choice but to think about an imbalance in the person who directs [el país]. We have an imprisoned bishop there, a very serious, very capable man,” the Pope said.
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