The killing of retired Nicaraguan Army major Roberto Samcam Ruiz in Costa Rica has ignited widespread concern regarding the Ortega government's potential targeting of its critics abroad. Samcam, a vocal opponent of the Sandinista regime, had fled Nicaragua to escape government persecution, taking extensive measures to ensure his safety. He often changed clothing to elude surveillance and relied on rideshares instead of public transport, openly advising fellow activists to stay vigilant.
Despite his caution, Samcam was brutally assassinated on June 19, with reports indicating that assailants had stalked him for weeks before striking. This violence significantly underscores a troubling trend: Samcam's murder is the sixth documented incident where a Nicaraguan dissident has faced kidnapping, shootings, or killings in Costa Rica since a wave of protests erupted in Nicaragua in 2018.
The alarming elevation of violence against exiled critics signals a dire need for enhanced protection measures and international scrutiny of the Ortega government's actions beyond its borders. As tensions mount, Costa Rica's Nicaraguan diaspora is further instilled with anxiety and fear, challenging local authorities to address these increasingly threatening dynamics.
