The Nicaraguan government expelled the ambassador of the European Union, Bettina Muscheidt, whom it called an “interfering”, as confirmed this Sunday by a statement where he “deeply regretted” this decision that he called “unjustified and unilateral”.
The text indicated that the Nicaraguan authorities informed the Head of the EU Delegation in Nicaragua last Wednesday that she had been declared persona non grata and that she should leave the country this Saturday.
“The EU deeply regrets and rejects this unjustified and unilateral decision. The EU also deeply regrets the disproportionate and unjustified unilateral decision taken on Friday by the Nicaraguan government to sever diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of the Netherlands and expresses its unconditional support for the Dutch government”, indicated the brief text.
The European Union further argued that “these hostile and unjustified actions will not only affect bilateral relations between Nicaragua and the EU and its Member States, but will also lead to greater international isolation of Nicaragua. In this context, the EU is considering the path appropriate to follow and will respond in a firm and proportionate manner.
EU insists on dialogue
The statement released on Sunday by the European Union stated that “the current political crisis in Nicaragua must be resolved through a genuine dialogue between the government and the opposition.”
At the same time, the member countries of the European bloc reaffirmed their continued commitment to the Nicaraguan people and to the defense of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
“The EU remains open to dialogue with Nicaragua, provided that this dialogue is carried out in a respectful manner,” the statement reiterated.
The European diplomat, appointed to the position on July 30, 2021, arrived in the country in the context of the sociopolitical crisis exacerbated by the protests against Ortega in 2018which left more than 300 dead and which the president referred to as an “attempted coup” against his government.
The expulsion of the European diplomat occurs days after the EU delegation to the United Nations urged Ortega to “return the sovereignty of Nicaragua to the people.”
Added to the expulsion of the diplomat is Managua’s decision to break diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
“She was expelled in a vulgar way”
The former Nicaraguan diplomat, Arturo McFields, called the expulsion of the European diplomat “vulgar” and assured that it is due to “there is panic and paranoia due to sanctions.”
Added to this unprecedented event in the last 30 years is the harassment to which other diplomats critical of the Ortega government have been subjected, who has been in power for more than 15 consecutive years despite allegations of multiple electoral fraud.
Previously, the Vatican ambassador to Nicaragua, nuncio Waldemar Sommertag, who left Managua on March 6, in an action characterized by secrecy, was expelled from the country. The approval of the nominee for ambassador by the president of the United States Joe Biden, Hugo Rodríguez, was also withdrawn.
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