On August 15th judge Gloria María Saavedra Corrales issued a ruling stating that the UCA “functioned as a center for terrorism, taking advantage of conditions created by lies to elevate levels of violence and destruction, organizing armed and hooded criminal groups who used terrorist methods, destroying public universities, public and private buildings, committing criminal activities with firearms, lethal munition, mortars, Molotov cocktails and blunt instruments, causing substantial economic losses to the country, and betraying the trust of the Nicaraguan people who welcomed them in our country so that they might function as an institution of higher eduction.” Under this justification she ordered all the assets of the UCA be transferred to State ownership. What follows is the response of the Central American Province of the Jesuits.
“Blessed are you when they insult and persecute you and speak all type of evil falsely about you…Rejoice and be glad, because your reward in heaven is great, because thus were persecuted the prophets who went before you.” (Mt 5:11)
The Central American Province of the Society of Jesus in the face of the situation which the Central American University of Managua is experiencing, states the following to the Nicaraguan and international community:
- The serious accusations against the Jesuit University of Nicaragua contained in the ruling issued by the Tenth Penal District Court, Managua jurisdiction, on August 15, 2023 are completely false and unfounded, where it is described as a “Center of terrorism”, and it is accused of having “betrayed the trust of the Nicaraguan people” and of “having violated the constitutional, legal order and the law governing the institutions of higher education in the country.” The de facto confiscation of the UCA is the price to pay for the search for a more just society, protecting life, truth, and the freedom of the Nicaraguan people, in line with its slogan: The truth will set you free (John 8:32).
- The prestigious teaching and investigative work done by the University during its 63 years of existence has been recognized nationally and internationally, it has been done in accordance with the educational tradition of the Society of Jesus and the orientation of the Catholic Church.
- This new governmental aggression against the University is not an isolated act; it forms part of a series of unjustified attacks against the Nicaraguan population and other educational and social institutions of civil society which are creating a climate of violence and insecurity and worsening the social and political crisis of the country. Starting in April 2018 as a consequence of its posture in defense of the lives of the people who were being repressed by state and parapolice forces, the UCA has been the object of constant besiegement, maltreatment and harassment on the part of Nicaraguan governmental institutions, expressed in mechanisms like the non-extension of the certifications necessary for its functioning on the part of the Ministry of the Interior, the National Council for Evaluation and Accreditation (CNEA) and the National University Council (CNU); this latter institution, excluding it from the university members of this body, beneficiaries of the 6% assigned to higher education.
- It is a matter of governmental policy which is systematically violating human rights and seems to be directed at consolidating a totalitarian State.
- It is important and imperative that our University be allowed to exercise its inalienable right to the legitimate defense against these accusations.
- The UCA of Nicaragua and the Jesuits who live in the country have the complete support of the Central American Province.
We hold the Government of Nicaragua responsible for any harm to the student body, the teaching and administrative staff and the rest of the workers of the University, and for the cultural patrimony of this country which are derived from such an unjustified accusation, and of the order for the seizure of all the buildings, furniture and economic patrimony of the University to the benefit of the Nicaraguan State.
We call on the Government of Nicaragua:
- That the drastic, unexpected, and unjust measure adopted by the judicial body be immediately reversed and corrected.
- The increasing governmental aggression against the University and its personnel be ended.
- A rational solution be sought where truth, justice, dialogue, and the defense of academic freedom prevail.
We reiterate the commitment of the Society of Jesus to the Nicaraguan people in favor of an inclusive, quality education, inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We thank the university community of the UCA for their courage, commitment, and sacrifice. At the same time, we recognize the national and international expressions of solidarity in the face of the unjust situation which the UCA is experiencing.
God will have the last word about history and also about Nicaragua.
San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday August 16, 2023
Central American Province of the Society of Jesus