The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and the Evangelical News Agency IDEA have named Nicaraguan evangelical pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas “Prisoner of the Month for October 2025.” The founder of the church community “La Roca de Nicaragua”(“The Rock of Nicaragua” was arrested on the evening of July 17, 2025, in Jinotepe, the capital of the Carazo district in the southwest of the country. Four family members, a girlfriend, and two friends were also taken away; one of whom died in custody in August.

Armed police, assisted by aid workers, forced their way into the Christians’ homes. They also confiscated cell phones and other electronic devices. According to media reports, the pastor, along with four other detainees, was transferred to Granada’s notorious prison on the west coast, known as “La Granja.” They are accused of conspiracy to undermine national integrity and high treason.

In 2019, the community’s legal registration was revoked; several members were murdered by security forces, and their church building was confiscated. Temporarily in exile, the pastor nevertheless returned to his homeland after being diagnosed with cancer. Observers are therefore currently particularly concerned about his health. The ISHR and IDEA are requesting that appeals be addressed to President Daniel Ortega, via the relevant diplomatic mission in Vienna, demanding the immediate release of the pastor, his family members, and friends.

Sample letter

President Daniel Ortega
c/o Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua
Prinz-Eugen Strasse 18, Staircase 1, Top 34
1010 Vienna/ Austria

Dear Mr President,

I am writing to you today with concern for the Protestant pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas.

The founder of the ecclesiastical community “La Roca de Nicaragua” (“The Rock of Nicaragua”) was arrested on the evening of July 17, 2025, in Jinotepe , the capital of the Carazo district in the southwest of the country. Four family members, a girlfriend, and two friends were also taken away; one of them died in custody in August.

Armed police, assisted by auxiliaries, forcibly entered the Christians’ homes. They also confiscated cell phones and other electronic devices. According to media reports, the pastor, along with four other detainees, was transferred to the “La Granja” prison in Granada. It remains unclear why they are being accused of “conspiracy to undermine national integrity“ and “high treason.”

I would like to remind you that Nicaragua ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of December 19, 1966, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. It states: “This right includes freedom … to manifest one’s religion or belief, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, in worship, observance, practice, and teaching.”

I ask that you do everything in your power to ensure the immediate release of the pastor and those imprisoned with him.

Yours sincerely