New reports suggest that tourists entering Nicaragua are no longer allowed to bring Bibles with them, raising fresh concerns about religious freedom under President Daniel Ortega’s government.

According to U.K.-based advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide, notices posted at Tica Bus terminals in Costa Rica warn travelers heading into Nicaragua that books — including the Bible — along with magazines, newspapers, cameras, and drones are prohibited. Company representatives reportedly said the restrictions have been enforced for about six months.

Human rights advocates say the move fits into a broader pattern of repression targeting religious and civil society groups. Christian Solidarity Worldwide called on the Nicaraguan government to immediately lift the ban, describing it as deeply troubling given the country’s current political climate.

Religious institutions, particularly the Catholic Church, have been among the few groups to openly criticize the Ortega government, especially following mass protests in 2018. Clergy offered refuge to demonstrators and urged dialogue — actions that were later met with arrests, expulsions, and heightened surveillance.

Since 2018, more than 5,000 civil organizations have lost legal status in Nicaragua, including over 1,300 religious groups. Churches, charities, schools, and faith-based media outlets have been shut down, while pastors and lay leaders have been jailed or forced into exile.

The reported Bible ban comes as Nicaragua continues to face international scrutiny, having withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council earlier this year amid widespread condemnation. As the Christmas season approaches, advocates say the restriction underscores the shrinking space for freedom of religion, expression, and dissent in the country — and the growing urgency for global attention.