The European Union declared the Nicaraguan ambassador in Brussels, Zoila Müller Goff, “persona non grata” on Monday, as a “reciprocity measure” to the administration of President Daniel Ortega, who took a similar measure days ago.
On September 28, Nicaragua expelled the European Union ambassador, Bettina Muscheidt, from the country after declaring her “interfering” and therefore “persona non grata.”
“This is a reciprocal response to the decision of the Nicaraguan government to declare the head of the EU Delegation in Nicaragua ‘persona non grata’. The EU considers Nicaragua’s decision unjustified,” said the spokesman for Foreign Affairs, Peter Stano.
The Brussels measure was made at the request of Josep Borrel, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Nicaraguan diplomat Müller presented her credentials to the European Union on July 14.
During that act, Müller, according to the official press, conveyed the will of the Ortega government “to work to maintain and strengthen friendly and respectful relations between our peoples.”
Relations between Nicaragua and the European Union have been tense since 2018, when protests began against President Daniel Ortega that left more than 300 dead.
In response, the EU imposed sanctions against several members close to Ortega’s circle, including his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, and two of his children.
Ortega has attacked the EU calling them “interfering” and “colonialists”.
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