The Joe Biden administration maintains the nomination of Hugo Rodriguez as the new ambassador of the United States in Nicaragua, despite the fact that the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega withdrew his approval accusing him of “interfering”, in the month of July.
Rodríguez aroused the anger of the regime by declaring before the US Senate that, if ratified in office, he would press for the return of democracy, respect for human rights and the freedom of political prisoners in Nicaragua; In addition, he indicated that the exclusion of Nicaragua in the DR-CAFTA trade agreement must be evaluated.
Although the Ortega Murillo family immediately rejected the nominee, the Senate confirmed it by “voice vote” on September 29.
The announcement was not well received by the Nicaraguan regime. The vice president and government spokesperson, Rosario Murillo, described as “unusual” the ratification of Hugo Rodríguez in office after the regime expressed its rejection.
Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ortega Murillo family issued a diplomatic note that reiterates that they do not accept Rodríguez as ambassador to the country for being “interfering, disrespectful and not at all diplomatic.” The dictatorship considers that the official’s accreditation is “offensive.”
Daniel Ortega dismissed as ambassador to Guatemala the retired commissioner general Juan Ramón Gámez Morales, who had held the post since January 2022.
Gámez has been a “faithful” element within the ranks of the regime, being awarded several times as a “police expert.” The Presidency did not communicate the reason for the move or who will occupy the vacant position.
Related news: Ortega dismisses his ambassador to Guatemala, retired General Commissioner Juan Gámez
Monsignor Rolando Álvarez served 58 days under kidnapping, denounced the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh). The organization warned that to date, his physical and psychological condition is unknown. In addition, the lack of information has generated numerous versions about his whereabouts.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted precautionary measures to Juan Lorenzo Holmann Chamorro and his family in Nicaragua.
Holmann is the general manager of the newspaper La Prensa, who was imprisoned by the dictatorship in August 2021 during the assault on the media outlet.
After analyzing the case, the IACHR considered that the political prisoner and his relatives are in a situation of risk and are considered likely to increase due to the current context of the country.
The agency requested the State of Nicaragua to report within a period of 15 days from the day following this resolution. The measures are necessary to prevent ‘irreparable harm’.
