Fundación para la Libertad de Nicaragua

Impulsada por Felix Maradiaga en 2012, somos un centro de pensamiento y un espacio de diálogo para la promoción de la #Libertad. Miembro pleno de Red RELIAL. https://lnkd.in/eATqRXdK

The recent announcement of a constitutional reform in Nicaragua by the Ortega-Murillo regime marks a dangerous step in consolidating their totalitarian grip on the country. Presented as a reorganization of the constitutional framework, this reform formalizes years of systematic human rights abuses and institutionalizes a state governed by one family. Beyond its overt attempt to centralize power, the reform reveals the regime’s deep-seated insecurity and paranoia about ensuring a definitive power transfer, particularly to Laureano Ortega, the couple's son. This insecurity drives a series of unprecedented changes that push Nicaragua further into political and social repression, undoing even the pretense of democratic freedoms.

I am pleased to announce that my essay “How Dictators Use Financial Repression Against Their Opponents” has been published in the Journal of Democracy, which is one of the most prestigious and widely read academic journals in U.S. universities. In this essay, I explore how dictators use tactics like property confiscation and weaponizing the financial system to silence their opponents. Drawing from my family’s personal experience of confiscation during the Sandinistas, I connect this issue to a broader global context. I also analyze how some dictatorships manipulate international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to combat money laundering, twisting these norms to impose financial censorship and economically block dissidents. In the final part of the essay, I highlight how Bitcoin and other technologies for freedom can serve as tools to resist these economic restrictions, providing citizens with a way to safeguard their financial autonomy under authoritarian regimes. The essay is available in both Spanish and English. If you find it relevant, I would be deeply grateful if you could share it within your networks.  Thank you! https://lnkd.in/eys_pEvF It also appears in Spanish here: https://lnkd.in/eVabhUsS https://lnkd.in/eys_pEvF

I commend the joint efforts of the Cuban Democratic Directorate, the Foundation for the Freedom of Nicaragua, and our brothers and sisters in Venezuela’s democratic opposition. This collaboration seeks to amplify the voices of those committed to freedom, ensuring they resonate more clearly within the international community. In this NBC Miami report, we read the valuable insights of Dr. Orlando Gutiérrez from the Cuban Democratic Directorate and Prof. Eduardo Gamarra of FIU, who shared strategic perspectives of great importance for the region. Personally, I emphasize that suspending the Central American Free Trade Agreement must be considered a fundamental measure of pressure against the Ortega dictatorship, cutting off the economic flows that sustain its repressive apparatus. The fight for freedom in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela is a shared cause! https://lnkd.in/e5pe2ecc

In the past few hours, alarming reports have emerged from Nicaragua: the Bishop of the Diocese of Jinotega, Monsignor Carlos Enrique Herrera, who is also the president of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua (CEN), has reportedly been abducted by agents of the Sandinista dictatorship. Monsignor Herrera has historically been one of the bishops most committed to justice and Christian solidarity with those who have no voice, a true example of steadfastness and integrity. Just a few days ago, he raised his voice to denounce the harassment by regime supporters and officials from the Jinotega municipality, who intentionally create noise to disrupt church services. In retaliation, the social media accounts of the diocese have been suspended. This is yet another attack on religious freedom and human dignity in Nicaragua, and it demands international attention and condemnation.

It was an absolute honor to host the Renew Democracy Initiative's second annual Frontlines of Freedom Conference in Washington, DC last week. We brought together over 150 dissidents, activists, journalists, policymakers, and thought leaders to address the worsening trend of authoritarian influence in open societies. We have lots of work to do! #FOFCON24 Uriel Epshtein Felix Maradiaga Evan Mawarire

As someone who has personally experienced the reality of being a political prisoner, it is profoundly moving to see a couple reunited after being separated by imprisonment. Many times, we told our friend Evgenia, who fought tirelessly for Vladimir Kara-Murza’s freedom, that one day her husband would stand by her side again. Today, Vladimir is free, but both of us agree that our struggle has only just begun until our countries are truly free and no one else is unjustly imprisoned under dictatorships like those in Nicaragua and Russia. I am honored to join efforts with this extraordinary couple, working together on behalf of those families who still cannot embrace their loved ones, held captive by the regimes of Putin and Ortega.

Honored to stand alongside freedom fighters like Evan, Uriel, and Caitlin at the Frontlines of Freedom conference. Today, we're addressing the urgent issue of transnational repression—a threat that affects us all—and exploring ways to protect our rights and resist autocratic forces. Held on October 30, the Day of Political Prisoners, this event unites remarkable organizations like RDI, the World Liberty Congress, Freedom House, the National Endowment for Democracy, and many others. The fight against authoritarianism requires unity, vision, and an unwavering commitment to freedom.

Daniel Ortega’s recent break with Israel is yet another example of his long history of cynicism and hypocrisy. While pretending to stand with the Palestinian people, Ortega's real agenda is revealed through his deep ties to extremist regimes and terrorist networks. His connections to Iran and radical groups stretch back decades, including training Sandinista guerrillas in Middle Eastern terrorist camps during the 1960s and 70s. Under Ortega, Nicaragua has become a safe haven for international extremism, with his support for Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and the hosting of the largest Russian spy base in the Western Hemisphere. Ortega’s antisemitism and alliances with authoritarian regimes threaten global security, and it's time the world recognizes the Sandinista regime for what it truly is: a supporter of global terrorism.

I am honored to join the Senior Leadership Fellows at Florida International University. I greatly admire the work of the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom and the distinguished community of fellows it brings together. This afternoon, we will launch the Fall program with the panel “Democracy and Capitalism in the Americas.” There’s still time to register for this open event if you're in the area. Throughout the semester, I’ll also be sharing my Masterclass series on “Political Strategy and Building the Global Democratic Ecosystem.”