The recent murder of retired Nicaraguan Army major Roberto Samcam Ruiz in Costa Rica raises alarms about possible covert operations by the Ortega government against its critics living in exile, with several similar incidents reported since 2018.
Concerns Grow Over Nicaraguan Government Targeting Dissidents in Costa Rica
Concerns Grow Over Nicaraguan Government Targeting Dissidents in Costa Rica
Following the assassination of a prominent Nicaraguan activist, fear intensifies amongst refugees about potential state-sponsored killings abroad.
Roberto Samcam Ruiz, a retired major of the Nicaraguan Army and vocal critic of the Sandinista government, took extensive security measures when he fled to Costa Rica after his name surfaced on government wanted posters. In a bid to evade potential assailants, he altered his clothing regularly and opted for rides in Ubers over public transportation. He often cautioned fellow Nicaraguan activists residing in Costa Rica about the dangers they faced.
Tragically, Mr. Samcam’s precautions proved futile. On June 19, a pair of assassins, who had reportedly surveilled him for weeks, invaded his San José condominium and shot him multiple times inside his home. His death marked a grave continuation of violence, being the sixth known instance of a Nicaraguan dissident suffering fatal or life-threatening attacks in Costa Rica since an uprising against the Ortega administration in 2018 prompted a mass exodus of Nicaraguans seeking refuge.
Locals and activists worry that the Ortega regime may be extending its reach beyond Nicaraguan borders, instilling fear among refugees who believed they had found safety. This incident further highlights the looming risks faced by political dissidents in exile, raising urgent calls for protective measures and international intervention to safeguard these vulnerable individuals fleeing oppressive regimes.
