Human Rights Abuses in Nicaragua Prompt the Vatican to Close Its Embassy There | EWTN News Nightly

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Nicaragua's government, led by President Daniel Ortega, continues to escalate its efforts to silence those who speak out against his regime. His targets include the Catholic Church and Church leaders. The moves have prompted the Vatican to close its embassy and now US lawmakers have taken note. New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith, who is a leading Congressional voice on human rights, chaired a hearing looking deeper into the crisis. He says that he hopes the testimony will highlight the abuse by Nicaraguan President Ortega and his government and pressure the Biden Administration and other world leaders to act. Congressman Smith says, "There needs to be real action. You can't coddle a dictatorship and expect anything but the abuse to accelerate and get significantly worse. And that's what's happening with Ortega." During the hearing, former political prisoners gave emotional testimony. Ortega's government continues to detain, imprison and torture numerous Catholic leaders, including several priests along with Bishop Rolando Alvarez. Witnesses called on world leaders to condemn Ortega's actions. Pope Francis recently called for peaceful coexistence in the country. Capitol Hill Correspondent, Erik Rosales reports. EWTN News Nightly provides the latest news and analysis from a Catholic perspective. Join host Tracy Sabol, our Capitol Hill, White House and Rome Correspondents, as well as many other diverse guests daily, to get the latest from the U.S. and the Vatican on topics regarding our Catholic faith and interests. ------------- EWTN News Nightly airs on EWTN weekdays at 6pm & 9pm ET. ------------ Don't miss an episode of EWTN New Nightly. Get updates here: https://www.ewtn.com/tv/shows/ewtn-news-nightly ------------- Sign up today to receive the EWTN News Nightly newsletter: https://www.ewtn.com/enn ------------- Follow EWTN News Nightly on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ewtnnewsnightly Twitter: https://twitter.com/EWTNNewsNightly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ewtnnewsnightly/ ------------- Subscribe to EWTN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/EWTN ------------- You can support the EWTN News mission: https://bit.ly/3qDR1qf