The Argentine government opened the possibility of granting Argentine citizenship to the Nicaraguan writer Sergio Ramírez, as well as to 300 opponents declared stateless by the government of Daniel Ortega.
Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero referred to the decision on Tuesday on the local radio station radio with you and the announcement was corroborated by the spokesperson for the Presidency, Gabriela Cerruti.
“The Argentine government is willing to grant Argentine citizenship to Sergio Ramírez, Gioconda Belli and all those who are suffering from what is happening in Nicaragua,” Cerruti said through social networks.
Thus, Argentina becomes the first country on the continent to offer nationality to the more than 300 Nicaraguan opponents exiled in the Central American country. Spain had already extended this offer to the 222 former political prisoners expelled to the US after learning of their release and exile and subsequently extended the measure to another 94 Nicaraguans declared stateless.
Nicaraguan Danny Ramírez, who was one of those affected by the withdrawal of his nationality, was enthusiastic about the decision and asked on Twitter if the process would be expedited, since he has lived in Argentina for years.
Chile joins the offer
Shortly after the Argentine offer became known, the Chilean government, critical of Ortega, also announced that it would “arbitrate the necessary legal means to offer due international protection” to Nicaraguans exiled for political reasons.
According to an official statement, this protection will allow them to reside in the country and obtain Chilean nationality according to the constitutional and legal norms that regulate it.
“The Government of Chile makes this alternative available to those who have been unfairly expatriated from Nicaragua and voluntarily decide to take it,” the official statement indicates.
Majority of expatriates are in the US and Costa Rica
Most people whose nationality was withdrawn for the alleged charges of treason are in the United States and Costa Rica.
washington has offered Nicaraguan opponents a humanitarian parole valid for two years, however in Costa Rica the process is the same as requesting refuge.
In total there are more than 300 people from whom Ortega withdrew their Nicaraguan nationality. First, 222 political prisoners were released and welcomed by Washingtonand then there were 94 activists, journalists and intellectuals.
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