Washington, D.C., June 20, 2025 – The Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights (Race and Equality) strongly condemns the murder of retired Nicaraguan Army Major Roberto Samcam, which occurred early Thursday morning, June 19, in San José, Costa Rica. This crime shows that the risk to the integrity and life of people who oppose or are perceived as such by the dictators Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo transcends borders, so this abominable act, added to other attacks that have been recorded, should turn on the alerts of the Costa Rican institutions to ensure justice.

Civil society organizations in exile, the Group of Experts on Human Rights in Nicaragua and other mechanisms for the protection of human rights have warned about transnational repression, pointing out the existence of persecution and reprisals applied outside Nicaraguan territory, which to date has manifested itself in attacks and murders such as the one we condemn today, as well as through the refusal to issue passports or to enter Nicaragua, leaving hundreds of Nicaraguans in a situation of de facto statelessness.

Race and Equality is deeply concerned about the presence of Nicaraguan military intelligence infiltrators in Costa Rica and their links to the assassinations and attacks against the opposition in the country, where they were forced to go into exile to save their lives and personal integrity.

“What we face today is not only a heinous crime, but a demonstration of the extent to which a regime can go when impunity is allowed to cross borders. As an international human rights organization, we are deeply concerned about the weakening of safe spaces for Nicaraguan exiles. Defending the lives and freedom of those fleeing persecution must be a priority for the international community,” said Carlos Quesada, Executive Director of Race and Equality.

We hope that the Costa Rican authorities will thoroughly investigate the murder of retired Major Roberto Samcam – who was a well-known critic of the dictatorial regime headed by Ortega and Murillo – and determine the material and intellectual authors of this crime.

We denounce that, in this way, the Nicaraguan dictatorship is attempting to silence the opposition, even beyond its borders. Critical speech is protected by international human rights instruments and deserves all necessary protection. The crime against Roberto Samcam, defender of democracy and human rights, must not go unpunished.

Finally, we urge the Costa Rican authorities to guarantee the safety of Nicaraguan opponents residing in the country, as well as an adequate environment for them to express themselves without fear of reprisals.