The repressive trap is closing even more on the Nicaraguan opposition. On Monday, December 21, the National Assembly – where President Daniel Ortega’s party, the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), has a majority – approved in record time a law that effectively excludes opposition candidates from the elections General November 2021.
The text, presented three days earlier and entitled “Defense of the rights of the people to independence, sovereignty and self-determination for peace”, prevents from standing for elections all those whom the regime considers to be. “Traitors to the fatherland”, especially those who “Demand, support and welcome the imposition of sanctions against the State of Nicaragua”. The law also excludes those who “Lead or finance a coup, (…) incite foreign interference in internal affairs, demand military intervention ” or “Propose and organize economic blockades”. In power since 2007 after having governed the country from 1979 to 1990, Daniel Ortega will run for president for a fourth term.
“This villainous law is a desperate act of a dictatorship which each time has less popular support, wants to believe opponent Felix Maradiaga, of the Blue White National Unit (UNAB). Ortega wants to remove from the political game any opponent who could represent a danger to his continuity in power. ” On the side of the Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy, another opposition group, Juan Sebastian Chamorro considers this law as a “More aberration” from the regime. “If someone had to be banned from participating in elections, it would be Daniel Ortega, who does not respect the Constitution and is the author of serious human rights violations”, he considers.
Legislative offensive
The former Sandinista guerrilla faced massive demonstrations against his regime in 2018. For him, it was an attempted coup and those who took part were “Putschists”. The crackdown on protests left 328 dead and 2,000 injured.
On Tuesday, the high representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell, considered that the law was “One more step in the intimidation of the Nicaraguan people, moving the country away from the rule of law”. Human Rights Watch’s director for the Americas, José Miguel Vivanco, warned that the law “Leaves little or no hope for free and fair elections in Nicaragua”.
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