The head of the Nicaraguan Army, General Julio César Avilés, carried out a “cleansing” within its ranks, ordering the withdrawal of more than 40 military officers with high command and media within the institution.
On Thursday, March 24, Avilés sent 13 colonels to what he called the “honorable condition of retirement”, in second class 11 lieutenant colonels, 2 frigate captains, 13 majors, a captain and Brigadier General Genaro Rosendo Betanco Romero, decorated with the “order of the Nicaraguan Army” for being the highest-ranking officer sent to retirement on this occasion.
Related news: Avilés attacks independent journalists from Nicaragua: “They want chaos and are mercenaries of information”
“Feel the pride of having always belonged to and represented this institution, with the honor and courage that characterizes the Nicaraguan soldier. We reiterate to all of his contributions in the process of founding, developing and modernizing the Nicaraguan Army, you are the builders of this firm and highly cohesive Army,” said the head of the military institution.
Betanco, for his part, stated that “although today we are moving to the honorable condition of retirement, we reaffirm our willingness and commitment to serve the country, especially when it is in imminent danger of losing tranquility, security and, above all, peace. that we all yearn for, to progress and develop our country».
The activity took place a day after the former Nicaraguan ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS), Arturo Mcfields, decided to rebel against the regime denouncing human rights violations and the political crisis in the country’s institutions.
Related news: Ortega cancels the appointment of a designated military officer to the Nicaraguan Embassy in Guatemala
“Since 2018, Nicaragua has become the only country in Central America where there are no printed newspapers, no freedom to publish on social networks, no human rights organizations, no independent political parties or credible elections, no separation of powers. but factual powers”, denounced the former diplomat.
Since Ortega is in power, the Nicaraguan Army has repeatedly declared its loyalty to the dictatorship. Recently, Avilés, in the style of the presidential couple; he lashed out at the independent press, calling them “unethical, manipulative, and information mercenaries.”