Nicaragua expels Apostolic Nuncio Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag

Apostolic Nuncio Stanislaw Waldemar Sommertag in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, April 4, 2019. AFP - MAYNOR VALENZUELA

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1 min

Relations between the Vatican and Nicaragua are at their worst.

The Holy See revealed on Saturday that the Apostolic Nuncio in the country, Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag had been asked to leave the territory.

A measure bitterly regretted by Rome, which defends the work of its diplomat.

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With our correspondent at the Vatican, 

“

” the expulsion of the nuncio can be read in a press release from the Vatican which evokes an “

” measure.

The Holy See explains that Bishop Sommertag "

" and reaffirmed its support for his representative.

In recent years the Vatican has played a leading role in the political crisis in Nicaragua, through the Polish diplomat.

Appointed in 2018 in Managua, he participated in the National Dialogue Table between power and opposition, alongside the country's bishops and the Organization of American States, advocating in particular for the release of political prisoners.

A position that has often irritated the Sandinista regime.

As with the country's bishops, Bishop Sommertag's relations with

had deteriorated considerably in recent months.

In 2019, Pope Francis had to ask the auxiliary bishop of Managua to temporarily leave his country following death threats.

The diplomatic crisis is total with Rome since the Nicaraguan ambassador to the Holy See left her post last September and has still not been replaced.

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• Vatican

• Nicaragua

• Diplomacy