Calls to free Nicaraguan Protestant pastor unjustly imprisoned for 4 years

A Christian rights organisation has intensified calls for the discharge of imprisoned Nicaraguan pastor Efrén Antonio Vílchez López, marking 4 years since his arrest with a world petition campaign delivered to diplomatic missions across Europe and the Americas.

More than 1,000 people signed the petition by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) urging the Nicaraguan government to free the Protestant pastor immediately and unconditionally. 

The petition was presented to Nicaraguan embassies and consulates in eight countries – the US, Mexico, Switzerland, Cuba, Belgium, Colombia, Austria and El Salvador.

Pastor Vílchez López was arrested on 15 May 2022 after reportedly being beaten by cops. 

Three days later, authorities charged him with aggravated rape and psychological harm against a minor – CSW insists the fees were fabricated in retaliation for his criticism of President Daniel Ortega’s government and co-President Rosario Murillo.

The Third Specialised District Court for Violence in Managua sentenced the pastor to 23 years in prison in September 2022. 

According to CSW, the court altered the categorisation of the fees during proceedings and declined to review evidence pointing to his innocence, including CCTV footage said to point out he was elsewhere on the time of the alleged incident.

The pastor is currently incarcerated on the Jorge Navarro National Penitentiary System, commonly generally known as “La Modelo”. 

CSW says he has faced increasingly harsh prison conditions despite affected by diabetes, hypertension and other health problems.

The organisation reports that his Bible and glasses had been seized, that he had been denied access to books and adequate medical supplies, and that since August 2024, his every day water allowance has been reduced to 1 small container, in addition to limited outdoor access.

Relatives have also allegedly been prevented from delivering food, medication and other basic necessities.

Anna Lee Stangl, CSW’s Director of Advocacy and head of its Americas team, described the accusations against Pastor Vílchez López as “completely unfounded” and expressed concern over his deteriorating health after 4 years in detention.

She remarked: “We call on the federal government of Nicaragua to release him immediately and without condition and to finish the harassment, imprisonment and compelled exile of spiritual leaders and all those considered critical of the federal government.”

The case comes amid growing international concern over religious freedom in Nicaragua. 

Earlier this 12 months, CSW reported a pointy rise in alleged violations of freedom of faith or belief, increasing from 222 documented cases in 2024 to 309 in 2025.

According to the group, many pastors and priests in Nicaragua are actually subjected to police monitoring measures requiring regular reporting to authorities and prior approval for certain religious activities. 

Some church leaders have reportedly been arrested for prolonged periods, while other reports suggest restrictions have been placed on importing Bibles into the country.

CSW says the crackdown on religious communities has intensified since anti-government protests erupted in 2018. 

Open Doors currently ranks Nicaragua thirty second among the many world’s most difficult countries for Christians.

CSW pointed to similar cases involving other clergy members, including Bishop José Leonardo Urbina Rodríguez, who received a 30-year prison sentence in 2022 on comparable charges before eventually being forced to depart Nicaragua.

Ms Stangl said the international community must do more to support “independent voices” in Nicaragua, including religious groups facing increasing pressure from the state.