When feminist lawyer and politician Ana Margarita Vijil knew her detention was imminent, on 12 June, she recorded herself sending a final message: "Nobody gives up. Daniel Ortega will have to go away.” Minutes later, police arrived at her home, beat her up and then took her to prison.
My home country of Nicaragua is holding elections this coming Sunday, 7 November. But we already know who will win. President Daniel Ortega, in power since 2007, is going to secure another term after months of using repression, censorship and imprisonment to force the opposition out.
Starting in May, the government has arrested seven presidential candidates and at least a dozen activists, including ten prominent women.
