A group of more than 70 opposition organizations in Nicaragua called this Wednesday to observe “mourning” on July 19, the day on which the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), headed by President Daniel Ortega, celebrates the national revolution.
“We want to encourage the population of Nicaragua to join in closing the doors of their houses on that day, which while they celebrate, for Nicaraguans it is a day of mourning,” Ana Ortez, spokesperson for the so-called “Space for Dialogue,” told Efe. and confluence of Nicaraguan actors”, which brings together the promoters of the initiative.
The call of the opponents occurs in a context of sociopolitical crisis that began in Nicaragua in 2018, when various massive anti-government demonstrations were reduced with armed attacks that, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), left at least 355 dead, of which Ortega has recognized 200.
“Just like on election day, last November 7, we want to continue showing the total and absolute rejection of the Nicaraguan people towards the dictatorial regime,” Ortez explained.
In these elections, the streets of Nicaragua were emptier than normal. After them, the Electoral Power announced a new reelection of Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, in their positions of president and vice president, respectively, with their rivals in jail or in exile.
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According to the Urnas Abiertas electoral violence observatory, made up of a multidisciplinary team, abstention in these elections was 81.5%, however the Supreme Electoral Council (CSE), with an official majority, set it at 34.74%.
The celebration of July 19 is the biggest Sandinista party of the year, and has as its center a speech by Ortega.
July 19 marks the 43rd anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the dictatorship of the Somoza family in Nicaragua, led by the FSLN.
“For Nicaraguans it was a joy to free ourselves from the other dictatorship, from Somoza, but it was like a deception,” Ortez said.
For their part, the Sandinistas have shared posters on their social networks with the legend “the revolution never ends, it is an eternal process.”
