Nicaragua revokes lawyers' licenses in crackdown on dissent as Ortega tightens control

Nicaragua's government has revoked the licenses of numerous lawyers, a move described by critics as a significant attack on dissent, on July 10, 2026. According to a United Nations expert, this action represents a "purge of the legal profession" aimed at diminishing the country's democratic checks and balances.

Background of Nicaragua's Legal Profession Purge

The revocation of legal licenses follows a pattern of government repression that has intensified since the violent crackdown on protests in 2018. President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, have increasingly targeted various societal segments, including NGOs, independent media, and now the legal profession. This systematic approach aims to eliminate any opposition and control the narrative within the country.

Reed Brody, an American human rights lawyer and member of a UN panel, noted that hundreds, if not thousands, of lawyers have been affected by this latest government action. The Supreme Court of Justice's registry has removed their licenses without official notification, leaving many in a state of confusion and fear.

Impact on Lawyers and Human Rights Defenders

Among those affected is Juan Diego Barberena, a human rights lawyer now exiled in Costa Rica. Barberena reported that he, along with at least 25 colleagues, has lost his official certification. He described the government's actions as a means of exercising totalitarian control over the legal profession, stating, "This means that the dictatorship can decide who gets to practice and who doesn’t."

Brody emphasized that the impact extends beyond political dissenters, as some of those stripped of their licenses were merely practicing law without engaging in political issues. This indicates a broader strategy to quash any remnant of independence within Nicaragua's judicial system.

The Broader Context of Nicaragua's Repression

Since 2018, the Nicaraguan government has taken drastic measures against dissent, including the closure of over 5,000 NGOs, many of which were religious organizations. This has led to the imprisonment of opponents and forced many into exile. Brody remarked, "This follows the pattern that we’ve been seeing for years. First, they closed the NGOs, the universities, the independent media... now it seems the legal profession."

• Over 5,000 NGOs shut down since 2018
• Hundreds of lawyers affected by license revocation
• Mass imprisonment of political opponents and activists

This crackdown has left Nicaragua's legal system under the tight control of Ortega and Murillo, effectively dismantling the last vestiges of democratic governance.