The Organization of American States (OAS) affirmed that the government of Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua has acted “illegitimately” by occupying the organization’s offices in Managua and assured that the country is still a full member of the organization and must fulfill its commitments.
The release issued on Sunday by the OAS followed the announcement by Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada, who during a surprise press conference reported on the withdrawal of the Nicaraguan representatives from the organization and the closure of the offices in Managua, as part of the completion of his departure from the organism.
Images released on Sunday by the official press showed the OAS building guarded by the police. Independent media replicated the images on their social networks.
“Today the Nicaraguan authorities have illegitimately occupied the offices of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Managua, Nicaragua,” the inter-American organization said. “This is a violation of the most elementary international standards. Nicaragua is a founding member of the OAS.”
“We demand that the Nicaraguan government respect the obligations that currently govern its relationship with the OAS and with any international organization of which Nicaragua is a part,” the statement said.
Nicaragua asked to leave the OAS in November. In March, its ambassador to the OAS, Arturo McFields, denounced the Ortega government and Managua appointed its new representatives: Orlando Tardencilla, Iván Lara and Michael Campbell.
“Although it has denounced its Charter, this denunciation will only enter into force at the end of the year 2023, subject to the fact that by then this country has complied with all the obligations that the Inter-American System imposes on all its members, in respect and fulfillment of its aims and purposes,” the OAS statement said.
“Until then, Nicaragua is a full member of the Organization and must comply with all its commitments. Article 33 of the OAS Charter guarantees the immunity of its activities in the member countries,” the text stated.
The OAS also indicated that “its offices, files and documents enjoy the most absolute inviolability. Their violation by the Nicaraguan authorities makes them internationally responsible for its consequences.”
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channel Youtube and turn on notifications, or follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
