Authorities in Nicaragua have detained at least 60 people for reportedly celebrating or expressing support for the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces, a human rights watchdog and local media reports said Friday. The arrests are part of what critics describe as a widening crackdown on dissent in the Central American country.

President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, key allies of Maduro, have taken a hard line following the high-profile arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a US military operation in Caracas last week. Maduro was flown to New York to face federal drug and weapons charges.

According to the Blue and White Monitoring human rights group, at least 60 arbitrary arrests have occurred on allegations of support for the US action, often based on expressions of opinion such as social media comments, private celebrations, or failing to echo official government messaging. Of those detained, 49 remained in custody without information on their legal status as of Friday, nine had been released, and three were held temporarily.

Local media outlets reported that the detentions took place under a state of alert ordered by Vice-President Murillo. Surveillance of neighbourhoods and online activity was stepped up in response to Maduro’s capture, with authorities monitoring social media posts and other public expressions to identify those perceived as supportive of the US operation.

Human rights advocates have warned that the arrests amount to a serious violation of free speech and due process, given that many detainees were held without formal charges or judicial oversight. Critics of the Ortega government say the detentions are part of a broader pattern of repressing political opposition and dissent in Nicaragua.

The situation comes amid heightened regional tensions following the unprecedented capture of a sitting Latin American leader by US forces, a move that has drawn global attention and debate.