US Senators Marco Rubio, Republican for the state of Florida, and Tim Kaine, Democrat for the state of Virginia; They presented this Thursday, June 8, a bill before the US Senate that orders to expand the powers of the Government of that country to apply sanctions to institutions and officials of the Daniel Ortega regime until the year 2028 and, in addition, orders new sanctions to the business of gold, meat and others, which may be oxygenating the dictatorship.
The initiative, called “Reauthorization and reform of the Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Law of 2018 and the Strengthening of Nicaragua’s Adhesion to the Conditions for the Electoral Reform Law of 2021, and for other purposes”, allows, among other objectives, , extend the authority of the US Executive to apply sanctions until December 31, 2028.
In addition, they may include Nicaraguan officials responsible for violations of the human rights of “religious believers”, that is, punish those responsible for the persecution against the Catholic Church.
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In Title I of the new Law, the legislators propose that “sanctions should be strengthened against sectors of the Nicaraguan economy that generate income for the Ortega family. Impose sanctions regarding the management of the Ortega government for the abuses against the Catholic Church, political prisoners and support for the invasion of Ukraine.
In addition, they establish that the Department of State must implement a “coordinated diplomatic strategy” with its regional and extra-regional partners “to restrict investments and loans that benefit the Government of Nicaragua”, from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).
Similarly, in Title II, the legislation to be approved by the US Congress proposes the “suspension of the preferential treatment of Nicaragua as part of the trade agreement between the US, the Dominican Republic and Central America (known by its acronym in English as DR-Cafta). Consequently, they propose a “prohibition of new US investments in Nicaragua.”
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The bipartisan bill orders the Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Banking Commission to review the North American companies that operate or have operated in the trade of gold exported by the Ortega regime, as well as products derived from livestock and coffee, those who could be subject to sanctions.
Former exiled politician and opposition leader Félix Maradiaga believes that this legislative initiative presented by Senators Rubio and Kaine “is a significant step to hold regime operators accountable for human rights violations and persecution of the Church catholic”.
“We want to convey the appreciation of all Nicaraguans who share our desire for freedom and democracy in the region. Senators Rubio and Kaine have our gratitude for their collaborative efforts to strengthen the fight for human rights and justice in Nicaragua,” the opposition leader thanked.
