Nicaraguan Foreign Minister, Denis Moncada Colindreswas the focus of attention during the inauguration of a photographic exhibition that exhibits the human rights violations committed at the Escuela Superior de Mecánica de la Armada (ESMA), during the last Argentine military dictatorship. The event was presided over, at the Argentine consulate in New York, by the president of Argentina, Albert Fernandez, who in recent months has been the target of criticism from the Nicaraguan dictator, Daniel Ortega.
“One guest, however, stole the look at the presentation. Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada Colindres was present at the Argentine consulate”, cites the report of the Argentine newspaper La Nación.
“Precisely when the Government of Daniel Ortega, which Moncada represents, is under the scrutiny of international organizations for the allegations of imprisonment and expulsion of his opponents in the run-up to the elections that gave Ortega a new term as president, among other violations of the human, political and civil rights of Nicaraguans,” adds the information from the Argentine newspaper.
The La Nación report adds that they consulted official sources from the delegation that accompanies President Fernández on this tour, who responded that “It was an open invitation to all delegations,” in relation to the presence of the Nicaraguan foreign minister.
The event was organized by the Argentine Government within the framework of President Fernández’s visit to New York, for his participation in the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN).
The special envoys of the Argentine news portal Infobae were also in the activity and approached Moncada, who evaded the questions made by the journalists. This was the brief exchange that they had with the chancellor of the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
– Are you the foreign minister of Nicaragua?
– Yes.
– And what are you doing here?
– They invited me and I came.
– This is an act in defense of human rights, which does not happen in Nicaragua.
– In Nicaragua we also defend human rights.
– That is not so: in your country they imprison the opposition, the religious who question the regime.
– Look, the lady (Marcela Losardo, Argentine ambassador to UNESCO) is speaking, so I am going to stop talking.”
Just over a month ago Ortega strongly questioned President Fernándezdemanding that he release 14 Venezuelans detained in Argentina and return a Venezuelan-Iranian plane held in that South American country for possible links with international terrorism, after a request from the United States justice system.
During the act on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the Nicaraguan Naval Force, Ortega said that Fernández “is playing a more shameful, sadder, more degrading role than the one played” by the OAS Secretary General, the Uruguayan Luis Almagro, ” which is openly an instrument of the gringos”.
He accused Fernández of “betraying” the principles of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which is chaired by the Argentine ruler, who, he said, has become “an instrument of the Yankee empire.”
“Since when did Argentina cease to be independent and now responds to US laws, to US judges, and to persecution by the United States? Since when?” asked Ortega, who called the moment “painful.”
Ortega’s questions came two days after the Argentine delegation to the Organization of American States (OAS) during a session of the Permanent Council of this organization, will support with his vote a resolution condemning against the regime by against organized civil society, the independent press and the priests and bishops of the Nicaraguan Catholic Church, in addition to reiterating the demand for the release of more than 190 political prisoners.
This resolution was approved with 27 votes in favor; only one against —Saint Vincent and the Grenadines—; four abstentions —Mexico, Bolivia, El Salvador and Honduras—; and two absent countries: Colombia and Nicaragua.
