BREAKING: While Bishops Decline Invitation to Witness Negotiations, Evangelical Pastor Says Yes. Alianza to Reconsider (UPDATED).

March 8, 2019

Nicaragua

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EDITORIAL NOTE: This post has been updated to reflect that Pastor Omar Duarte has accepted the invitation to serve as “witness” to the dialogue. The Alianza will take the weekend to reconsider its own participation.

While the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference has officially declined an invitation to serve as ” “witnesses and companions” in the negotiation process between the Ortega-Murillo administration and the Alianza Civica, Pastor Omar Duarte has just confirmed that the Evangelical Churches will accept. Duarte is the minister for the Rios de Agua Viva Church.

The bishops issued a statement, stating that they would “not be physically present at the negotiations, but will accompany [them] as pastors in these crucial moments for our Nation, exercising our prophetic mission and dedicating ourselves to “prayer and the ministry.”

The bishops’ declining the invitation is a harsh blow to the process, as the Catholic Church remains among the most trusted institutions in the country. According to journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro, the bishops’ answer “confirms that there are no conditions for the [dialogue], with 600 political prisoners, no press freedom, [and] no freedom of expression and assembly.” The Alianza decided to participate in the negotiations in spite of all of these issues, which many Nicaraguans see as pre-conditions for a dialogue.

On the other hand, the bishops’ refusal is not entirely unexpected. On Monday, online publication Despacho505 published an interview with Mons. Abelardo Mata, secretary of the Episcopal Conference, in which Mons. Mata indicated that the bishops “did not want to be used in delay tactics, and even less so to rubber stamp foregone agreements.”

Alianza Civica por la Justicia y la Democracia strongly advocated for the bishops’ involvement in the negotiations. Therefore, this new development can be seen as a rebuke to the Alianza as an organization, particularly based on other statements by Mons. Mata, who criticized the Alianza for their lack of inclusivity, and questioned its ability to represent all sectors.

Bishop Silvio Brenes, who is among the most respected members of the Episcopal Conference, expressed his absolute support to his “brother bishops [in the decision] of not being physically present in the negotiations”

Without the Catholic Church, representatives of the Evangelical Churches will be the only national witnesses to the negotiations, that is, if the Alianza chooses to stay on. The Evangelical Churches are a heterogeneous entity, with some pastors, like Duarte, supporting the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship, while others do not.

Duarte confirmed his participation to the Orteguista television station Channel 8. He will be advised by Pastors Roberto Rojas and Jorge Rivera.

Duarte is a long-time ally of the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship. In 2016, he supported the candidacy of both, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo for the presidency and vice-presidency. At the time, he described the coupling as “good and on target.” He also praised Rosario Murillo as “capable” and “committed”.

Pastor Duarte has not wavered in his support. During the early days of the crisis, on April 20, he praised the Ortega-Murillo administration for Nicaragua’s progress:

The progress we have had until today is incredible, and it will be even greater, if we give glory to God and we trust him. Nicaragua will be the example of Central America. That is my dream; that is my mission; that is what I want to see before I die, and I will see it.

At the time of this statement, Ortega and Murillo’s security apparatus had killed around 20 Nicaraguans, including fifteen-year-old Alvaro Conrado and journalist Angel Gahona.

The crisis was just beginning.

In light of the Episcopal Conference’s announcement, the Alianza issued a statement, explaining that they will hold a general meeting of their membership “to reconsider their position in the negotiation.” The Alianza added that “this impasse is a chance for the Government to demonstrate its real and serious will [to achieve] peace in Nicaragua. Freedom doesn’t wait. Therefore, we demand the release of political prisoners, the reestablishment of freedoms and the cessation of repression; and national and international guarantors to give legitimacy to the process.”

The OrMu administration has not responded to today’s events. A news story on Tn8 (channel 8), announcing Pastor Omar Duarte’s participation in the dialogue was deleted without explanation, not before journalist Wilih Narvaez preserved screenshots of the note.

The Alianza did not give any indications as to when they would announce their decision.

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