The European Union renewed on Thursday, for one year, its sanctions against the “regime” of Nicaragua, as well as against people close to President Daniel Ortega.
“The EU reaffirms its continued commitment to the Nicaraguan people and the defense of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights,” the bloc expressed in a statement, in which it also maintains that the EU “remains open to dialogue with Nicaragua , as long as said dialogue is carried out in a respectful manner”.
The restrictive measures affect 21 people and 3 Nicaraguan entities, which are subject to an asset freeze and are prohibited from providing funds to EU citizens and companies. In addition, those sanctioned will not be able to enter the territory of the European bloc.
In a statement, the European Council affirms that the decision by the “Nicaraguan regime” to expel the head of the European delegation in the Central American country it was “unjustified”. In response, the twenty-seven also expelled the Nicaraguan ambassador in Brussels. The organization, in addition, also highlights that the government of Daniel Ortega “broke diplomatic ties” with the Netherlands recently.
The EU sanctioned the Central American nation for the first time in October 2019. Both the Council and part of the European Parliament have spent months defending their concern about “the deterioration of the political and social landscape” in Nicaragua.
So far, there has been no reaction to the extension of the sanctions by the government of Daniel Ortega.
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