Carmen María Sáenz

Although in October 2024 -two months after her arrest- the Women’s Integral Penitentiary Establishment (EPIM) allowed her relatives to leave her a package with basic supplies, the center has never confirmed that she is there.

Carmen María Sáenz Martínez, 49 years old, is a lawyer and worked in the Judiciary in Matagalpa until 2018. Carmen was also an advisor in Canon Law in the Diocese of Matagalpa and is the mother of two daughters, one of whom is a teenager.

Carmen was deprived of her liberty on August 10, 2024 by police agents, who raided her home without a warrant and interrogated her. They then proceeded to transfer her to an unknown destination, without informing her of the reasons for her arrest.

Since then, people close to Carmen have been looking for her in the Police District III of Managua, in El Chipote, in the Integral Penitentiary Establishment for Women (EPIM) and in the headquarters of the National Police in Plaza del Sol. In the first days of her detention, in Plaza del Sol they were told that she was being held in District III; however, there they were told that she was there, but that she was transferred to the EPIM, but there her presence was also denied. On October 1, 2024, the penitentiary authorities of the EPIM allowed them to leave her parcels with basic supplies, but they did not give her a visitor’s card that would make visits possible.

Carmen suffers from migraine and fluid retention in her feet for which she takes a medication called “Hidramide”. There is no evidence that this medication is being provided to her.

Taking into account the serious and urgent risks to his life and personal integrity, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted precautionary measures on October 24, 2024.

Due to the State’s failure to comply with the measures, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) granted urgent measures on March 5, 2025, which were ratified by resolution of March 27, 2025, demanding that while the necessary administrative procedures for Carmen’s immediate release are being carried out, the State proceed to determine and unequivocally inform her relatives and trusted lawyers about her place of detention; facilitate her immediate contact with family members and adequate communication with her lawyers; and guarantee immediate access to physical and mental health services, medication and adequate food.

To date, the State continues to be in contempt of the measures ordered by the Court.

Where is Carmen María Sáenz?

We demand to the Ortega-Murillo regime: Free Nicas Now!