Nicaragua has banned at least 18 Christian organizations this year, according to a report highlighting a widening government crackdown on religious groups and civil society.

The findings, released by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, identified 15 Protestant groups and three Roman Catholic organizations that have been stripped of their legal status in 2025. The affected entities include schools, media outlets, and faith-based charities such as Lutheran World Relief and Food for the Hungry.

Officials have taken additional steps after revoking legal recognition, in some cases seizing property tied to religious institutions. One school was allowed to continue operating temporarily before its facilities were ultimately repurposed as a police station. In another instance, a Protestant organization reported that its headquarters were cordoned off and claimed by the government.

The crackdown has also targeted individuals. Religious leaders have reportedly been questioned over sermons and teachings, with threats issued in response to statements perceived as critical of the government. Some clergy and faith leaders have faced severe consequences, including exile and loss of citizenship.

One case cited in the report involved a Catholic priest who was prevented from returning to Nicaragua while abroad, with airline officials informing him that the government had barred his reentry. Similar actions have reportedly been taken against other religious figures, including Protestant pastors and journalists.

The report indicates that organizations or individuals deemed disloyal to the government face heightened scrutiny and punitive measures. It also warns that the situation for religious freedom in Nicaragua continues to deteriorate.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide called on authorities to restore citizenship to those who have been stripped of it and to reinstate the legal status of affected organizations, including unfreezing their assets.

The developments reflect broader concerns about civil liberties in Nicaragua, where the government has intensified actions against opposition groups, independent institutions, and religious organizations in recent years.