Nicaraguan opposition activist Joao Maldonado was the victim of a violent attack in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, in San José, where he was shot at least 7 times in the chest and head. The 36-year-old man, who has been living in Costa Rica as a refugee since 2018, was intercepted by individuals on a motorcycle near the Universidad Latina, along with his wife, Nadia Robleto.
Maldonado is currently receiving medical treatment at the Calderón Guardia Hospital, while his wife sustained injuries, including one to the head. The attack has led to a significant deployment of police in the area.
The Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) reported that the attack occurred shortly before 11 am, and ballistic evidence was found in the vehicle in which the victims were traveling. The car was transported to the Forensic Science Complex for further analysis.
Several organizations, including the Together for Nicaragua Organization, have publicly expressed their support for the victims and condemned the violent attack. They called on the authorities in Costa Rica to thoroughly investigate and punish those responsible for the violent acts against political opponents of the regime of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.
The attack on Maldonado and Robleto is just one of many violent incidents linked to the regime of Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, since April 2018. The organization strongly denounced these acts of violence and called for justice for the victims.