Activists and families of Nicaraguan dissidents in Costa Rica express rising alarm after the murder of retired Army major Roberto Samcam Ruiz, marking another incident in a troubling trend of violence aimed at fleeing critics of the Ortega regime.
Concerns Mount Over Targeted Killings of Nicaraguan Dissidents in Costa Rica
Concerns Mount Over Targeted Killings of Nicaraguan Dissidents in Costa Rica
Following the assassination of a prominent Nicaraguan activist in Costa Rica, fears escalate regarding the Ortega government's reach beyond its borders.
In recent weeks, the killing of retired Nicaraguan Army major Roberto Samcam Ruiz in Costa Rica has cast a shadow over the safety of exiled political dissidents from Nicaragua. Samcam, an outspoken critic of President Daniel Ortega’s regime, had fled to the country after threats on his life led to his name appearing on government wanted posters. According to reports, he was meticulous about his security, employing various measures such as changing clothes and opting for rideshares over public transport to evade potential assailants.
Tragically, these precautionary steps proved insufficient. On June 19, Samcam was shot multiple times in his home within a condominium complex in San José by two assailants who had reportedly monitored him for several weeks. His death marks at least the sixth confirmed case of a Nicaraguan dissident experiencing violence or abduction in Costa Rica since the mass exodus of citizens following repressive government actions during protests in 2018.
This incident has ignited concerns among Nicaraguan exiles about the Ortega government's willingness to enact violence even outside its borders. Family members and fellow activists are left grappling with fear and paranoia, as many like Samcam have vocalized their fears of retribution for their political beliefs while living in perceived safety. As tensions rise, advocacy for greater protections for these refugees is becoming increasingly urgent.
Tragically, these precautionary steps proved insufficient. On June 19, Samcam was shot multiple times in his home within a condominium complex in San José by two assailants who had reportedly monitored him for several weeks. His death marks at least the sixth confirmed case of a Nicaraguan dissident experiencing violence or abduction in Costa Rica since the mass exodus of citizens following repressive government actions during protests in 2018.
This incident has ignited concerns among Nicaraguan exiles about the Ortega government's willingness to enact violence even outside its borders. Family members and fellow activists are left grappling with fear and paranoia, as many like Samcam have vocalized their fears of retribution for their political beliefs while living in perceived safety. As tensions rise, advocacy for greater protections for these refugees is becoming increasingly urgent.
