Nicaragua’s lone cardinal says that the hierarchy of the Catholic Church is ready to face the persecution the government might carry out against them, and that they will continue speaking up in favor of democracy, unafraid of the consequences. Some 25 opposition leaders, including several presidential hopefuls for the November 7 national elections, have been imprisoned in the past month by President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, forcing several countries, including the United States, and international organizations such as the United Nations, to voice concern over the state of the country’s democracy.