Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: August 2, 2025
Please pray for the release of a Nicaraguan pastor and seven of his family and friends, who were unjustly arrested less than three weeks ago.
They have all already been charged with treason and conspiracy in a fast-tracked virtual hearing.
Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas is a prominent Protestant pastor and founder of La Roca de Nicaragua Church Association.
He’s been an outspoken critic of the Nicaraguan government since the 2018 protests, when he condemned the use of violence against the demonstrators, who were mostly students.
Pastor Palacios Vargas was forced to flee the country in July 2018 after he and his family received threats on the phone and social media. Two days later, at least three members of his church were killed by security forces and paramilitaries.
Pastor Palacios Vargas’s church (La Roca de Nicaragua Association) was arbitrarily stripped of its legal status in 2019.
The pastor returned to Nicaragua in December 2020 following a cancer diagnosis, and since January 2021 has been under close police supervision – essentially amounting to house arrest.
No arrest warrants were shown, but all of the following were arrested on Thursday 17 July 2025, alongside Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas:
- Arely Palacios Vargas and Jéssica Palacios Vargas (the pastor’s sisters).
- Pedro José López and Armando José Bermudez Mojica, husbands to Arely and Jéssica, respectively (the pastor’s brothers-in-law).
- Mauricio Alonso Prieto Sr, a political activist and friend of the pastor.
- Mauricio’s adult son, Mauricio Jr, who is part of the worship team at Pastor Palacios Vargas’s church.
- Olga María Lara Rojas, a former political councillor and family friend of Pastor Palacios Vargas. She is a Protestant Christian but not a member of his church.
On 28 July it was reported that all eight people had been transferred to ‘La Granja’ – a notoriously overcrowded maximum-security prison. After a fast-tracked virtual hearing, they were charged with treason and conspiracy.
Please pray:
- For the immediate and unconditional freedom of all who are unjustly detained.
- That the international community will speak up to demand their release and determine their well-being, making use of available diplomatic channels.
- That the Lord would draw near to protect and encourage them today.
‘You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.’ (Psalm 119:114)