The government of Nicaragua has arrested at least 60 individuals following public displays of support for the recent capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by United States forces. The arrests, reported on Friday, January 9, 2026, were part of a sweeping crackdown by President Daniel Ortega’s administration against those perceived as “treasonous” to the regional socialist alliance.
Local human rights groups reported that security forces conducted raids in several cities, targeting activists and citizens who had taken to social media or the streets to celebrate the end of Maduro’s regime. The Nicaraguan government, a long-time ally of the Maduro administration, described the U.S.-led operation in Venezuela as an “illegal act of imperialist aggression.” Those detained are reportedly being held on charges of undermining national integrity and inciting public disorder.
The capture of Maduro has sent shockwaves through Latin America, particularly among members of the ALBA bloc. While many nations have expressed support for the transition in Venezuela, the Ortega administration has signaled its intent to suppress any domestic dissent inspired by the events in Caracas. International observers have condemned the arrests, calling for the immediate release of those detained and expressing concern over the further erosion of civil liberties in Nicaragua.
