Former Russian chess champion and opposition leader, Garry Kasparovstated that Nicaragua is experiencing dark times due to the closure of more than 5,300 NGOs, persecution of the Catholic Church, and imprisonment and forced exile of opponents.
The critic of Vladimir Putin’s regime also expressed his solidarity with Nicaraguan civil society, which has suffered repression since the anti-government protests of 2018.
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“The recent closure of 1,500 NGOs in Nicaragua, along with the shuttering of churches, universities and even independent chess clubs, marks a dark chapter in the country’s history. More than 5,100 organizations have been silenced in a systematic assault on civil society, many of them unfairly accused of receiving funding from the United States,” Kasparov says on X (formerly Twitter).
For Kasparov, the Ortega regime, which is one of Putin’s faithful allies, uses these tactics to extinguish hope for freedom and justice in Nicaragua. “In times like these, the world must stand in solidarity with those who continue to resist authoritarianism, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The people of Nicaragua deserve freedom and our support,” says the Russian.
Kasparov, who is the president of the organization “Renew Democracy Initiative» (RDI), met virtually with Nicaraguan opposition leader Félix Maradiaga, representative of the Foundation for the Freedom of Nicaragua.
Both opponents agreed to expand mutual cooperation to lead actions that contribute to the democratic struggle of Nicaragua and Russia.
In October 2024, one of the largest gatherings of dissidents forced into exile will be held in Washington, DC, under the title “On the Front Lines in Defense of Freedom.”
At the meeting, opponents and exiles from countries such as Russia, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua will agree on lines of work against the aforementioned autocracies.
Kasparov is widely regarded as the greatest chess player in history, having dominated the sport for over two decades. He has been exiled to the United States for over ten years and is one of the most vocal and critical opponents of the Kremlin. In early 2024, Kasparov was declared a terrorist by Putin’s regime.
