Calls for Sanctions Against Ortega and Murillo
The European Union (EU) is being urged to impose additional sanctions on the regime of Nicaraguan leaders Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have put forward a resolution demanding that Ortega be added to the list of sanctioned individuals and calling on the EU to explore further measures to address the situation. However, the MEPs also emphasize the importance of avoiding actions that could exacerbate the suffering of the Nicaraguan people.
The resolution refers to a recent report by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), which highlights the establishment of a police state in Nicaragua. It describes a regime marred by repression, corruption, electoral fraud, and widespread impunity, with the intention to consolidate power indefinitely and maintain privileges and immunities.
According to the MEPs, the elections that took place in Nicaragua on 7 November were nothing more than a sham orchestrated by the Ortega-Murillo regime. They categorically reject the legitimacy of the election results, condemning the vote as a key milestone in Nicaragua’s transformation into an autocratic regime.
The MEPs emphasize that the Nicaraguan authorities systematically curtailed any credible electoral competition and undermined the integrity of the electoral process. They achieved this by systematically imprisoning, harassing, and intimidating presidential pre-candidates, opposition leaders, students, rural leaders, journalists, human rights defenders, and business representatives. The resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners who have been arbitrarily detained.
In order to address the deep political crisis in Nicaragua, the MEPs stress that an inclusive and meaningful national dialogue is the only viable solution. They assert that free elections, the restoration of the rule of law, and an end to repression and fear are essential prerequisites for any engagement with the Nicaraguan regime.
As the situation in Nicaragua continues to deteriorate, with democratic principles being eroded and human rights being violated, international pressure is growing on the EU to take decisive action. The resolution put forward by the MEPs reflects this urgent need for the EU to consider imposing further sanctions on Ortega and Murillo’s regime. However, there is a recognition that any actions taken must be carefully calibrated to avoid causing additional hardship for the people of Nicaragua.
The hope is that by imposing targeted sanctions and using diplomatic channels to push for change, the EU can contribute to the restoration of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Nicaragua. Time will tell whether these efforts yield the desired results, but for now, the calls for sanctions against Ortega and Murillo are gaining momentum, with ongoing pressure on the EU to take action and support the Nicaraguan people in their struggle for a brighter future.
