Background on Roberto Samcam and His Criticism of the Nicaraguan Government
Roberto Samcam, a 66-year-old retired Nicaraguan military officer and outspoken critic of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, was assassinated in Costa Rica on Thursday. Samcam had frequently spoken with media outlets to denounce the atrocities committed by Ortega’s regime. Two unidentified individuals entered his residence under the pretense of delivering a package and shot him. The attack has been attributed to the Ortega-Murillo government by activists and Nicaraguan exile movements.
Samcam’s Role as a Human Rights Advocate
Samcam’s daughter, Samantha Jirón, living in Madrid, expressed her shock at the news: “We never expected this; it was unimaginable.” His wife, Claudia Vargas, described him as “a powerful voice” who directly denounced the dictatorship and highlighted human rights violations in Nicaragua. She emphasized that his work aimed to bring attention to ongoing abuses in the country.
Details of the Assassination
The Costa Rican Red Cross sent an advanced support unit to Samcam’s condominium in Moravia, but confirmed that he had no vital signs. The Organismo de Investigación Judicial (judicial investigation body) identified the victim as Samcam, a staunch critic of Ortega and Murillo.
“Noche de cuchillos largos” – A Growing Concern
Exiled Nicaraguan Joao Maldonado was shot at in San José, Costa Rica, on January 10, 2024, while traveling in a car with his girlfriend. Both were seriously injured. Former Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís (2014-2018) condemned Samcam’s murder on Facebook, calling it an “indignant and grave” act. Ex-Sandinista commander Dora María Téllez, living in exile in Spain after being imprisoned and expelled by Ortega, warned of a “night of long knives” reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s 1934 purge of Nazi militants in Germany.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was Roberto Samcam? Roberto Samcam was a 66-year-old retired Nicaraguan military officer and vocal critic of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo.
- Why was Samcam targeted? Samcam was targeted due to his outspoken criticism of the Nicaraguan government and his efforts to highlight human rights abuses in his home country.
- What is the significance of the “night of long knives” reference? The “night of long knives” is a term borrowed from Adolf Hitler’s 1934 purge of Nazi militants in Germany, which ex-Sandinista commander Dora María Téllez used to warn of a growing threat against opposition figures in Nicaragua.
- What international response has there been to Samcam’s assassination? The U.S. Department of State offered Costa Rica support to hold the perpetrators accountable and expressed shock over the killing.
Impact on Nicaraguan Exiles and Human Rights
Samcam, along with his wife, had been living in Costa Rica since 2018, following the violent repression of mass protests against Ortega’s government that left over 300 dead, according to the UN. His assassination has heightened concerns among Nicaraguan exiles about their safety and the escalating human rights situation in their home country.
