U.S. Imposes Sanctions On 100 Nicaraguan Officials

On August 19th, 2023 the U.S. State Department banned 100 Nicaraguan officials on the premise of human rights violations and systematic repression, restricting their visas and freezing many of their U.S. assets. This move forms part of a broader effort aimed at pressuring the Nicaraguan government to shift away from its authoritarian practices. The U.S. has long been critical of Orgeta’s violent approach. Recently, it has specifically condemned the government’s shutdown of the Central American University (UCA), an independent university with a history of peaceful student rebellions against the government, now pejoratively labeled a “center of terrorism.” The United States is also calling for the release of Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who was sentenced to a 26-year prison sentence after having criticized the government’s ban on several Catholic radio stations. 

Throughout the extended rule of the Ortega-Murillo couple, democracy in Nicaragua has been hanging by a thread. Since their second presidential stint in 2007, they have been relentlessly asserting their dominance, using unwarranted arrests, torture, and even murder to destroy their opponents. The regime’s initial large-scale violent incident occurred in 2018 during student protests against social security reforms which simultaneously decreased benefits yet also increased labor expectations. In response, protestors were crushed by police forces and pro-government mobs, who used rubber bullets, teargas, and blunt instruments to injure and kill. Within only five months, more than 350 were killed.

“The State has been used as a weapon of persecution against the population,” claims a report written by the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, detailing various other human rights violations committed by the government. Abuses include the deprivation of nationality, excessive police force, and the shutdown of local media and human rights organizations, amongst other crimes. Throughout the past few years, the government has also targeted universities by seizing control of their executive boards or cutting public funding in response to the schools’ previous support towards student protestors. Constant fear reigns in the country, and most citizens cannot seek help from state-run forces without fearing unforeseen consequences.

When general elections came around in 2021, Ortega’s presidential opponents did not stand a chance, as all popular candidates were either arrested or forcefully disqualified. Journalists were similarly coerced into silence, and social media platforms were taken over by the government. Citizens were far too afraid to leave their houses to be able to cast their ballot. These actions sparked worldwide rage, with figures such as President Joe Biden declaring the election as “neither free nor fair, and most certainly not democratic”. Other democratic countries such as Colombia, Chile, and Costa Rica have also claimed to not recognize the election outcomes. 

Nicaragua has been fighting against foreign penalties by befriending non-democratic states such as Russia and China or by withdrawing from the Organization of American States (OAS) after significant post-election backlash. However, the U.S.’ recent sanctions on 100 of Nicaragua’s executives are nevertheless a step in the right direction. While their current effect might seem inconsequential, foreign threats could have positive effects if performed strategically. For instance, while the United States has been imposing political constraints on Nicaragua, it remains the country’s top economic partner and has increased trade by 67% within the past two years. This seems quite counterproductive, for severe economic sanctions are perhaps even more important than political ones. While some argue that they come with unintended consequences that harm citizens, accompanying economic restrictions with humanitarian aid could alleviate such worries. 

Unity amongst nations is also crucial. While this might not be realistic due to the support from non-democratic nations, foreign sanctions would only be truly efficient if every nation and international organization coordinated their efforts to send a stronger message to the Nicaraguan government. Without such unity, one nation’s warnings would be insufficient to instill change. Finally, raising awareness on the topic is crucial since most of the Nicaraguan media has long been silenced. Increased foreign coverage could thus help spread the word about this humanitarian crisis and bring about a brighter future for Nicaraguan citizens. 

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