Nicaragua sparks backlash in quitting OAS over Ortega re-election criticism
MANAGUA (Reuters) -Nicaragua’s authorities on Sunday stated it had accomplished its withdrawal from the Group of American States (OAS), a transfer the group swiftly decried as violating worldwide norms and unable to enter impact for an additional yr.
Nicaragua’s authorities additionally stated it had closed the native OAS workplace and revoked the credentials of a number of OAS representatives as a part of an “unwavering resolution” to go away the group.
Nicaragua started the method to go away the 35-member OAS in November, shortly after President Daniel Ortega’s election to a fourth consecutive time period amid worldwide concern – together with from the OAS – over the vote’s equity as Ortega detained opponents and criminalized dissent.
Nevertheless, the OAS stated Nicaragua’s rejection of the group couldn’t go into impact till the top of 2023 given the nation’s standing as an lively member.
“This can be a violation of probably the most fundamental worldwide norms … We demand that the Nicaraguan authorities respect the obligations that presently govern its relationship with the OAS and with each worldwide group of which Nicaragua is a component,” the OAS stated in an announcement.
The OAS additionally stated that Nicaraguan officers had “illegitimately occupied” the OAS workplace within the capital of Managua, and warned that they might be held accountable internationally.
Nicaragua has steadily described the Washington-based OAS as interventionist and managed by america.
“Nicaragua just isn’t a colony of anybody,” the federal government stated in an announcement saying its withdrawal.
Final month, Nicaragua’s then-ambassador to the OAS accused Ortega’s authorities of repressing the political opposition, human rights abuses and cracking down on freedom of speech.
The US and the European Union have referred to as final yr’s election illegitimate, and have pressed Ortega to carry new elections and launch greater than 160 prisoners.
(Reporting by Ismael Lopez; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon; Modifying by Michael Perry and Kenneth Maxwell)
