US Department of State Calls for Immediate Release of Nicaragua's Bishop Alvarez and the Nicaraguan Regime Responds with Photos of his Medical Exam


The Nicaraguan government assured that it carried out a medical examination of the imprisoned Catholic bishop Rolando Álvarez, age 57, who was arrested by the regime of President Daniel Ortega and then sentenced to 26 years in prison. They also released pictures of the examination (see below). Prior to the release of the photos, the United States had issued a press statement via their State Department on January 2nd, after several subsequent arrests of priests in Nicaragua. In August 2022, the bishop endured a house arrest then on December 13th, Álvarez was charged with conspiracy "for undermining national integrity and propagation of false news. He was ordered to remain under house arrest. On  February 8th, 2023, Álvarez was not released with the 222 political prisoners the Nicaraguan government sent to US custody on February 9th, 2023; according to reports Álvarez had refused to board the flight to the United States. On February 10th, the government announced that Álvarez had been declared a traitor, stripped of his citizenship, and sentenced to 26 years in prison.
Below is the full note from the Government of Nicaragua: MEDICAL CHECK-UP ON ROLANDO ÁLVAREZ LAGOS Today, Tuesday, January 2, 2024, Rolando Álvarez Lagos underwent a medical examination with Doctor Yesser Rizo (Internist), in the presence of the General Commissioners of our National Police: Zhukov Serrano and Luis Barrantes. 
Medical care began at 3:25 pm and concluded at 3:40 pm.
 Vital signs: Blood pressure 120/60 Heart rate 84 
Oxygen saturation 99% Heart rate 88 
During the medical care Rolando Álvarez Lagos expressed that he feels well and continues to exercise. The doctor reported that Rolando Álvarez's vital signs and state of health are fine. He did not have blood tests done because he had eaten food.
United States Department of State - Full Text - PRESS STATEMENT
Bishop Rolando Álvarez Unjustly Detained for 500 Days in Nicaragua
MATTHEW MILLER, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON
JANUARY 2, 2024
President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo have unjustly incarcerated Bishop Rolando Álvarez for 500 days. During that time, Nicaraguan authorities have kept Bishop Álvarez in isolation, blocked independent evaluation of the conditions of his imprisonment, and released staged videos and photographs that only increase concerns about his well-being.
In addition to Bishop Álvarez, many religious leaders remain unjustly detained in Nicaragua, including fellow Bishop Isidoro Mora and several priests. The Ortega-Murillo regime continues to impose severe restrictions on religious communities and deny Nicaraguan citizens the ability to freely practice their religions and express their beliefs.
We once again call on the Nicaraguan government to release Bishop Rolando Álvarez immediately and without conditions.
Source: https://www.state.gov/bishop-rolando-alvarez-unjustly-detained-for-500-days-in-nicaragua/

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