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June 23, 2021

Rights Groups Sound Alarm as Nicaragua's Gov't Escalates Crackdown on Opposition
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The U.N. and other rights groups are condemning the government of
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega over its mounting crackdown on
opposition ahead of the November election. At least 15 people have been
arrested this month, including five presidential candidates. Ortega is
widely expected to run for a fourth presidential term. Meanwhile, Mexico
and Argentina have withdrawn their ambassadors to Nicaragua. The Biden
administration also imposed new sanctions on four Nicaraguan officials
and Ortega allies earlier this month. This is José Miguel Vivanco of
Human Rights Watch.

José Miguel Vivanco: "We are asking Secretary-General António Guterres
to go to the United Nations Security Council and report on the
seriousness of what is happening in Nicaragua, not only around the
abuses, the flagrant violations of fundamental rights and human rights,
but also on the repercussions this may have for the region and from the
point of view of the refugees who have had to flee Nicaragua."



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