Introduction

Since protests began in 2018, Nicaraguans have faced a serious humanitarian crisis. Citizens who speak out against the government face violence, imprisonment, or enforced disappearance. Government actions, like stripping individuals of their citizenship and expanding state surveillance, have made the situation worse.

Loss of Citizenship and Exile

Denaturalization, the process of stripping a person of their citizenship, has become a tool of repression in Nicaragua. The government has used it to silence critics, promoting censorship and punishing dissent. Once citizenship is removed, people lose the only home they have ever known. At least 452 Nicaraguans have been removed to Guatemala after their citizenship was stripped. They were labeled as traitors for speaking against their government.

Further, on July 10, 2025, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expressed concern over constitutional reforms in Nicaragua that would automatically strip citizens of their nationality if they acquire another, a move that could greatly increase the risk of statelessness. The IACHR noted that this reform violates the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Citizens are losing property, civil records, and legal rights in what the Commission described as a form of “civil death.”

Another development making it harder for exiled Nicaraguans is the possible end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States. This began on September 8, 2025. Then, in late December 2025, a federal court order effectively kept Temporary Protected Status (TPS) active for certain groups. However, escaping to the US is still not certain for many Nicaraguans. Over 4,000 Nicaraguans under TPS are at risk. For many, going back to Nicaragua is not an option. This means that those who are displaced are stateless. This development underscores how government repression, through denaturalization and exile, has silenced opposition and deepened the humanitarian crisis.

Government Surveillance

On November 6, 2025, Nicaragua enacted Law 1223. This granted broad powers to the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Postal Services. Under this law, media and internet companies are required to share user data with the government, enabling authorities to monitor social media activity, phone calls, and text messages. The system allows officials to track who individuals communicate with, their locations, and the frequency of their interactions. This raises serious concerns about privacy, surveillance, and the suppression of dissent.

This system specifically targets Nicaraguans who criticize the regime, extending even to those in exile. This pervasive monitoring has deepened fear among journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens, discouraging the reporting of corruption or human rights abuses. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has denounced this system and asked technology companies to take responsibility. This system violates privacy rights and stops people from reporting corruption. Many fear exile, and this new system increases that fear.

Conclusion

Nicaragua’s crisis continues. It has been marked by repression, loss of rights, and widespread fear. Denaturalization and surveillance have eliminated basic freedoms, leaving many citizens and exiled stateless, silenced, or under constant fear. This ultimately undermines regional stability. Urgent action is needed by the OAS to prevent further human rights violations.

Bibliography

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