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Nicaragua
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Christians are increasingly being silenced under the dictatorial rule of the co-presidents Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo.
“Because of the many sudden and random house searches, we had to hide the Bibles in our home. There were three of them...each Bible had a paper cover, with images of Kim il-Sung and Kim Jong-il, to keep them from raising suspicion.”
What is persecution like in Nicaragua?
Christians in Nicaragua are increasingly being silenced under the dictatorial rule of the co-presidents Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo.
Believers who raise their voices against the government over issues including human rights violations have faced surveillance, intimidation and imprisonment. Some even face exile and loss of citizenship. Meanwhile, churches and other Christian institutions (e.g. schools and charities) are deemed a threat to the regime. They have had assets seized, activities disrupted and banned, and buildings vandalised. Rather than be seen as a valuable part of the country’s fabric, many Christians are viewed as ‘destabilising agents’.
This growing suffocation of Christian freedoms goes back to 2018, when nationwide protests broke out against the government. This worsened following elections in 2021 and constitutional reform in 2025. Both have been used to make legal changes to further justify the crackdown on dissenting voices – and that includes further silencing the church. ,
What changed this year?
While there have been some notable developments in North Korea in 2025, the overall situation remains largely unchanged. Many negative trends continue to affect the country and its people – including secret believers.
The regime has strengthened its military capabilities, engaged in selective diplomatic interactions, tried to develop tourism and implemented internal policy changes. Meanwhile, the everyday life of its citizens remains intensely harsh, including the devastating impact of its ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The agenda behind all this is unchanged: to strengthen the country’s self-reliance and its strategic positioning on the world stage. For North Korea’s handful of secret believers, that means continued repression and ongoing extreme danger.
Who is most vulnerable to persecution?
The dangers facing Christians in North Korea are such that all believers are vulnerable to extreme persecution.
What does Open doors do to help
Open Doors seeks to strengthen secret believers in North Korea through networks outside the country. This includes emergency relief aid, Christian materials, Christian radio broadcasts and shelter, and training for those who’ve fled the country.
How can I be praying?
Pray for Kim Jong-un and his family. Ask God to change their hearts – knowing that He did the same for the Apostle Paul.
Communities of faith in North Korea are often small gatherings of families or close friends. Pray that God would protect these beautiful expressions of His church, and that these believers would sense God’s perfect peace.
Pray for those believers in North Korea affected by a lack of food, that God would help them find the food they need. Pray that they would be given opportunities to wisely share the gospel by caring for others in similar circumstances.