The U.S. Condemns Violence and Human Rights Violations in Nicaragua

On Monday, August 8, the U.S. government condemned the violent suppression of protesters in Nicaragua and announced that it would revoke the visas of officials involved in the crackdown. According to Reuters, international condemnation of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has increased this month due to the severe repression of protesters. Since the protests began three months ago, around 300 people have been killed and many others injured. The White House stated, 'The U.S. government strongly condemns the ongoing violence in Nicaragua and the human rights violations by the Ortega regime in response to the protests.' Recent demonstrations began in response to the government's plan to reduce retirement benefits, but the government's violent reaction has led to widespread protests against Ortega's government. The White House noted that protesters, after years of fraudulent elections and the suppression of opposition parties and independent media, are calling for democratic reforms. The statement mentioned, 'The government has responded to these demands with violence, resulting in over 350 deaths, thousands of injuries, and hundreds of citizens imprisoned, tortured, or missing under the labels of 'coup plotters' or 'terrorists.' The statement also indicated that the U.S. government will revoke or limit the visas of government officials linked to violence against protesters. According to the statement, the U.S. will also halt the transfer of donated vehicles to the Nicaraguan police, which have been used to suppress protesters, and will reduce the sale and donation of other equipment that may be used against demonstrators. Washington holds Daniel Ortega, a former leader of a Marxist guerrilla group, and his wife, who is the Vice President, responsible for the situation. Last month, the U.S. sanctioned three senior officials of the Nicaraguan government for human rights violations. The White House stated in another part of the statement, 'This is the beginning, not the end of potential sanctions.' Daniel Ortega, who was president of Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990, has been in power since 2007 after winning elections. This new wave of violence occurs after years of calm in Nicaragua and represents the most severe violence in the country since the 1980s when the Sandinista guerrilla group fought against U.S.-backed rebels (Contras).