Nicaragua: IACHR condemns transnational repression

July 14, 2025

Washington, DC— The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its concern over information received regarding the intensification of repression by the Nicaraguan regime, which now extends beyond its borders and affects individuals in situations of human mobility and government critics.

The IACHR and its Special Monitoring Mechanism for Nicaragua (MESENI) have received reports about violence—including persecution and harassment—perpetrated against individuals regarded as critics of the Nicaraguan government who have gone into exile in other countries in the Americas, as well as against Nicaraguan civil society organizations operating outside Nicaragua.

In this context, the IACHR notes the murder on June 19, 2025, of retired major Roberto Samcam at his home in San José, Costa Rica. Samcam, who had gone into exile in 2018 and was a well-known political analyst and Nicaraguan government critic, was attacked by an individual who pretended to be a delivery person and shot him multiple times.

The State of Costa Rica said that it had immediately launched investigations into these events in line with the applicable domestic legislation and international standards. Costa Rica's deputy attorney general said that the case was under investigation and that all hypotheses were being considered, including potential political and/or transnational motives, and he stressed that the Costa Rican public prosecutor's office remained committed to solving the case. The State of Costa Rica acknowledged that transnational repression is a growing, complex challenge for States and for the inter-American system as a whole, since it is a cross-border phenomenon that tests traditional protection frameworks.

The MESENI has also been informed of instances of persecution and harassment against Nicaraguan civil society organizations operating in other States which continue to denounce repression in Nicaragua and support victims from abroad. Several exiled Nicaraguan human rights defenders have also reported having been subjected to surveillance, intimidation, and harassment by agents of the Nicaraguan regime.

Further, the IACHR has identified transnational repression mechanisms, including an abuse of Interpol red notices—worldwide requests to locate and provisionally arrest individuals who are wanted for extradition—targeting exiled government critics and dissidents to criminalize their criticism and to restrict their freedom of movement. Various extradition requests issued against asylum seekers have also been documented.

The IACHR urges the authorities of receiving States to investigate with due diligence all threats, attacks, instances of surveillance, and other acts of violence committed against exiled Nicaraguans, in order to identify, prosecute, and punish both their perpetrators and any potential masterminds. The IACHR further asks receiving States to ensure that these investigations are independent and include a human rights focus and a gender perspective where appropriate, while also preventing impunity.

The IACHR notes that, in keeping with inter-American standards, States have an obligation to protect individuals in their jurisdiction from acts of transnational repression, as well as to prevent abuse of international cooperation mechanisms for political persecution purposes.

The IACHR expresses its solidarity with the families of Samcam and all other victims of transnational repression by the Nicaraguan regime. The IACHR stresses its commitment to the defense of human rights in Nicaragua and urges the State of Nicaragua to end all forms of repression within and beyond the country's borders, as well as to comply with its international obligations.

The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 140/25

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