San José, January 10, 2026 — In the wake of the dramatic U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, Nicaraguan authorities have launched a crackdown on individuals perceived as supportive of the event. Reports from human rights organizations and independent media indicate that at least 60 people have been arbitrarily detained across the country for celebrating or expressing approval of Maduro's arrest and extradition to the United States.
The arrests stem from Nicaragua's close alliance with the Maduro regime. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo have long been staunch allies of Maduro, sharing ideological ties rooted in leftist politics and mutual resistance to U.S. influence in Latin America. The Ortega-Murillo government has frequently echoed Maduro's criticisms of Washington and has provided diplomatic support amid Venezuela's political and economic crises.
The U.S. operation, dubbed "Operation Absolute Resolve," involved special forces raiding a fortified compound in Caracas early on January 3, capturing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple was swiftly transported to U.S. custody, arriving in New York to face federal charges. A superseding indictment unsealed following the capture accuses Maduro of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and related weapons offenses, building on earlier 2020 charges alleging his involvement in a massive drug trafficking network known as the Cartel de los Soles. Maduro pleaded not guilty during his initial court appearance on January 5, proclaiming his innocence and describing himself as a "kidnapped" head of state. He remains detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as proceedings continue.
The international community has reacted with a mix of condemnation and cautious acknowledgment of the charges. Critics, including several Latin American governments and international legal experts, have questioned the legality of the extraterritorial military action, arguing it violates sovereignty norms despite the U.S. justification based on existing indictments. Others have noted the operation's precision, with satellite imagery analyses showing targeted strikes rather than widespread destruction, though reports indicate dozens of casualties, including Venezuelan and Cuban personnel.
In Nicaragua, the fallout has manifested as heightened internal repression. According to the NGO Blue and White Monitoring (Monitoreo Azul y Blanco), which tracks human rights violations in the country, "at least 60 arbitrary arrests" have occurred since Maduro's capture. These detentions are based solely on expressions of opinion, including social media comments, private celebrations, or failure to echo official government propaganda. The group reported that, as of January 9 (Friday), 49 individuals remained in detention without clear information about their legal status, while nine have been released and three were held temporarily. Blue and White Monitoring described this as a "new wave of repression" conducted without judicial orders.
The arrests have been documented across at least eight departments, including Managua, Matagalpa, and Jinotega. Nicaraguan newspaper Confidencial, operating in exile due to ongoing media restrictions in the country, reported that the detentions occurred under a "state of alert" declared by Vice President Rosario Murillo shortly after the U.S. action. This alert reportedly included intensified surveillance in neighborhoods and on social media platforms to monitor and suppress dissenting views. Confidencial noted that the regime's response framed the U.S. capture as an "illegal kidnapping" and called for Maduro's release and respect for Venezuelan sovereignty.
Similarly, La Prensa, another Nicaraguan outlet with limited operations inside the country, attributed the arrests to individuals posting "in favor" of the U.S. operation on social media. These reports align with broader patterns of political repression under the Ortega-Murillo administration, which has faced international criticism for systematic violations including arbitrary detentions, torture, and restrictions on civil society and independent journalism.
The crackdown reflects the regime's sensitivity to regional shifts. Maduro's removal has raised questions about the stability of allied governments in Latin America, particularly those reliant on Venezuelan oil subsidies or ideological solidarity. In Nicaragua, where the government has long suppressed opposition voices—especially since the 2018 protests—the Maduro capture appears to have triggered preemptive measures to prevent any domestic celebrations or expressions of hope for similar change.
Human rights advocates have condemned the arrests as violations of freedom of expression and due process. Blue and White Monitoring emphasized that detentions are occurring without formal charges or legal proceedings in many cases, exacerbating Nicaragua's ongoing humanitarian and political crisis. International observers, including the United Nations and regional bodies, have previously documented similar patterns of repression in the country, though the Maduro-related wave marks a specific reaction to external events.
As of January 10, 2026, no official statement from the Nicaraguan government has confirmed the exact number of arrests or provided details on the detainees' status. The regime has instead focused public messaging on condemning the U.S. action in Venezuela and demanding Maduro's immediate release.
This development underscores the interconnectedness of authoritarian regimes in the region and the risks faced by ordinary citizens for expressing views that diverge from official narratives. With Maduro now in U.S. custody and Venezuela under interim leadership amid uncertainty, the ripple effects continue to influence neighboring countries like Nicaragua, where dissent remains heavily penalized.
