Economist Erwin Krüger, former Minister of Foreign Cooperation during the government of former President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, died this weekend. The also former president of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (Cosep) is remembered, mainly, for his management of the foreign debt of more than 12,000,000 million dollars, inherited by the first Government of Daniel Ortega.
Krüger was in charge of visiting dozens of countries to tell them that Nicaragua was not in economic conditions to pay its debts and managed to reduce some 8 billion dollars of foreign debt, reports the newspaper La Prensa.
The Cosep, of which Krüger was its president during the period 2005-2007, expressed his condolences. “Our deepest condolences to all your relatives and we ask the heavenly father to give you strength in this moment of pain in the face of this irremediable loss,” he read in the statement published on his social networks.
The Nicaraguan Chamber of Industries (Cadin) —of which he was in charge of the presidency— also expressed solidarity with the loss of the notable businessman, who “with his work contributed to the development of our country,” he said. Similarly, the Chamber of Commerce and Services of Nicaragua (CCSN), recalled his footprint.
Likewise, the editorial board and team of Revista Dracma remembered its president and founder as a person with faith in God, in the family, in humanity; with a cheerful and knowledgeable spirit; promoter of the debate of ideas, for his analysis in economics and business, for his professional quality, for his teaching quality, his perseverance and his love for Nicaragua.
We deeply regret the death of Dr. Erwin José Krüger Maltez, who was president of COSEP in the period 2005-2007. Our deepest condolences to all his relatives and we pray to the Heavenly Father for strength in this moment of pain in the face of irremediable loss. pic.twitter.com/XqukVe1g0J
— COSEP Nicaragua (@COSEPNicaragua) July 18, 2022
a great negotiator
An economist told the La Prensa newspaper on condition of anonymity that Krüger had an outstanding academic, business and civil service career. He recalled his doctorate in economics, his experience as a teacher in the United States and in Nicaragua, in addition to serving as a senior United Nations official —he advised the Peace Plan for Central America promoted by the UNDP— and as deputy minister of the presidency of Barrios Chamorro .
The source highlighted “his capacity for qualified dialogue. He was a natural negotiator and conciliator, with a great commitment to Nicaragua. A family man and a correct man in every way,” he expressed.
Economist Róger Arteaga told La Prensa that Krüger’s participation in meetings was “on time and very valuable,” “which helped a lot to shape Nicaragua’s economic policy.”
Cease repression and generate dialogue
In an interview on the show Tonightin September 2018, Krüger assured that since the root of the economic problems, which at that time, began in Nicaragua, were of a political and not a monetary nature, “the best measure is that the President of the Republic fulfills his function, cease the repression and persecution, and call for a dialogue so that calm and tranquility return,” said the professor and former minister.
“That is the best policy measure that can help the economy!” he insisted.
Currently two ex-presidents of COSEP, José Adam Aguerri and Michael Healy; the vice president of Cosep, Álvaro Vargas, and the banker, Luis Rivas, are part of the more than 180 prisoners of conscience that the Ortega regime maintains in different prison systems. Meanwhile, the pressure against businessmen has intensified, through tax collections and fines.
