Rebirth Law: US Senate Daniel Ortega | International

The U.S. Senate this Friday approved an initiative of the Reform Act that expands the scope of sanctions against the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, as well as their representatives involved in the country’s democratic breakdown, persecution against dissent, human rights abuses and, more recently, The. Closes an obvious choice Competition after capture More than thirty opposition leadersIncluding seven presidential candidates.

The main point of the law (formally called Legislation strengthening Nicaragua’s compliance with the conditions for electoral reformNicaragua’s participation in the Free Trade Agreement between the United States, the Dominican Republic and Central America (TR-CAFTA) is to be reconsidered. This is a major deal Nicaragua, Its main trading partner is precisely the United States.

The Renaissance Act was approved by a majority of US senators who reached a bilateral agreement, adding to the growing pressure on the Ortega and Murillo regimes. Recognized by the European Union, England, Switzerland and Canada. Renezer was promoted by Democratic Senator Bob Menandes, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.

“This is a day of strong action, not a reason to formally remove the paranoid Nicaraguan democratic system that failed in the election of United States Senate Daniel Ortega,” he said after the law was passed. “We have made it clear that Ortega’s shameful tactics of restraining anyone who dares to challenge will not work, and in fact, our commitment to bringing hope and opportunity to the people of Nicaraguan is just beginning.”

Renezer had the support of Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democrats Tim Cain, Dick Turbin, Ben Cardin and Chris Murphy. Once passed in the Senate, the tool is close to being formally signed into law. It has not yet been approved by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden. In the lower house, which condemned the rule of Ortega and Murillo and was approved by the lower house, Renezer was replaced by Democrat Congressman Alfio Cyrus.

“Through this consensus vote, the United States sends a clear message of support to the people of Nicaraguan. Our country must use all tools to hold the repressive Ordega regime and its family accountable. I urge the House of Representatives to pass this bill expeditiously,” said Senator Marco Rubio.

The Renaissance Act establishes that the Biden administration is in “diplomatic negotiations” with Canada, the European Union (EU) and Latin American and Caribbean countries to “impose selective sanctions” on citizens preventing Nicaraguan elections.

In addition, the tool states in the electoral sense: “Foreign persons will be subject to economic sanctions that directly or indirectly prevent them from creating the conditions necessary for free, fair and transparent elections in Nicaragua.”

CAFTA, a tough blow

However, the TR-Kafta amendment is of great concern not only to the government but also to the country due to its potential economic impact. The exit from the trade agreement will result in about $ 1.5 billion in exports to Nicaragua, particularly the textile sector, and thus employment, tax collection and contributions to the Nicaraguan Social Security Agency (INSS).

KAFTA came into force in Nicaragua on April 1, 2006 and has been instrumental in the economic growth of this Central American country. Nicaragua, for example, went from exporting $ 228.4 million to the United States in 2006, to $ 1402.1 million in 2020.

Renezer also directly targets members of the Santinista Front, members of the officers’ family, members of the National Police, the National Army and the controversial Supreme Electoral Council (CSE), a loyal organization of Ortega and Murillo.

Hours after Renaissance was approved, the State Department imposed visa restrictions on 50 direct relatives of National Assembly representatives, lawyers and Nicaraguan judges.

“In the last two months alone, the regime has detained 32 political opponents and pro-democratic actors, including seven presidential candidates, a vice presidential candidate, student activists, private sector leaders, defense lawyers and many others. Ordega and Murillo have once again demonstrated that they are afraid to run against those who believe they can win the support of the people of Narguan, despite the repression and the courageous Nicaraguan who ran for the vice presidency as an opposition candidate.

On July 12, the Department Sandinista canceled 100 visas for officers, “On the basis of a visa regulation policy that makes Nicaraguans responsible or undermining democracy, including those responsible or complicit in the suppression of peace protests and those who have abused human rights, and family members who come directly from those individuals.”

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