Fr. Martínez, part of the group of 222 exiled in the United States, made a direct appeal to the police and judges of Nicaragua to stop allowing themselves to continue being used by the Sandinista dictatorship.
Newsroom (June 03, 2025, 10:00, Gaudium Press) Representatives from 45 organizations opposed to Nicaragua’s Sandinista regime gathered in Miami on Friday, May 30, responding to a call from exiled priest Father Benito Martínez. The assembly, held in opposition to Daniel Ortega’s government, also saw the proposal of a transitional body to guide a potential democratic transition in Nicaragua.
Priest Calls on Police and Judges to Reject Dictatorship
Father Martínez, one of the 222 Nicaraguans exiled to the U.S., directly addressed Nicaraguan police and judges, urging them to stop enabling the Sandinista dictatorship. He distinguished between those complicit in corruption and those who maintain their integrity.
“I’m not speaking to the corrupt. I’m not speaking to the criminals. I’m not speaking to those who have sold their conscience for money,” Martínez declared. “Nor to those who burned the children of the Carlos Marx neighborhood alive, or those who cover their faces with a black cloth out of shame.”
Instead, his message targeted officers and soldiers who still uphold principles: “To you who have not allowed your souls to be corrupted, who were raised with rectitude and sacrifice—do not allow yourselves to continue being used.” He urged them to honor their parents’ legacy and abandon the regime before it is too late.
Judges Urged to Resign with Dignity
Fr. Martínez also appealed to Nicaragua’s judiciary, condemning its subservience to the executive branch. “You have witnessed how an illegitimate government, born of fraud, has turned the judiciary into puppets,” he said.
He called on judges to either restore credibility to the courts or resign: “It’s nobler to sell iced water with dignity than to mete out injustice with dirty hands and a guilty conscience.”
Proposal for a Transitional Assembly in Exile
The Miami meeting also saw the birth of an initiative to form an assembly in exile, aimed at preparing for a democratic transition. Father Martínez emphasized that the focus should be on unity rather than individual ambitions.
“The key is to work toward our return to Nicaragua,” he said. “A group must form—a platform accepted by all—to temporarily lead the country before free elections can be held.”
Enrique Martínez of the PUDE organization echoed this, stressing the need to move away from factional dominance in opposition politics.
The assembly drew around 25 attendees, including peasant movement leader Medardo Mairena, analyst José Dávila, baseball legend Denis Martínez, and former Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla (via video). Those present viewed the proposal as a crucial step toward unifying Nicaragua’s exiled opposition and restoring democracy.
For now, the initiative seeks to consolidate efforts among exiles, laying the groundwork for a future return and a transitional government that could eventually lead Nicaragua out of its political crisis.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from 100%Noticias
Related Images:
