A weak magnitude 2.4 earthquake was reported 35 km west of Managua, Nicaragua, on December 19, 2025, at 7:42 PM local time. The event underscores the region's active seismic nature, with Nicaragua frequently experiencing minor tremors due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Nicaragua has reportedly prohibited tourists from entering the country with Bibles, a restriction confirmed by notices at international bus terminals. This move is part of a broader crackdown on civil liberties and religious expression under President Daniel Ortega's government, which has seen thousands of religious and civil society organizations shut down and religious leaders facing detention and surveillance. International advocacy groups have condemned the ban.
Nicaragua experienced a series of fatal incidents on October 9, 2025, including a tragic drowning in Poneloya where two individuals went missing, and a deadly traffic collision in La Trinidad de Estelí claiming the life of a retired nurse. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding these events.
China continues its strategy of using economic incentives to persuade countries to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing. Nicaragua severed ties with Taiwan in December 2021, and similar pressure is now being observed on the Vatican, Taiwan's sole European ally, as Beijing seeks to further isolate the self-ruled island.
A new report by UN human rights experts reveals how the Nicaraguan government extends its repression beyond borders, targeting exiles with arbitrary deprivation of nationality, denial of documents, asset confiscation, and extensive surveillance. The report, presented on September 23, 2025, highlights a 'climate of fear' among the diaspora.
