US and other countries prepare further sanctions for Ortega after questions answered in Nicaragua

the government of The United States works with international partners on new sanctions that could be imposed in response to the November 7 elections in Nicaragua., He Washington denounced as a farce organized by Daniel OrtegaUS officials told the agency Reuters.

The United States government has also initiated Review of Nicaragua’s participation in the Free Trade Agreement with Central America And has already stopped supporting anyone”development of commercial potential A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Ortega is believed to be a government beneficiary.

Biden government, building on restrictions imposed by its predecessor Donald Trump, applied Financial penalty measures and travel bans for dozens of Nicaraguan officials, including members of the Ortega family, for the suppression of the Central American government before the election.

United States Secretary of State, Antony Blink, announced last week that Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, seeking a fourth term, were “Creating false and credible elections, silencing and arresting your opponents.”

A US government source said they were preparing new restrictions A post-election State Department official also noted that the move was likely.

Ortega said in June that the ban They will not bow down to their administration And that his government was abiding by the law in prosecuting those who conspired against him.

In July, he accused Washington of trying and demanding to undermine the election.re-sow terrorism“In Nicaragua, a clear reference to US funding of fighters”against“From the right in the 1980s.

“We will continue to use the diplomatic and economic tools at our disposal to promote accountability. Those who support the Ortega regime’s human rights abuses and attacks on Nicaraguan democracy,” the State Department official said.

“We have restriction tools. We are working with international partners as well as in multilateral fora to uphold our values ​​and we will continue to do so.“The officer added.

NS The European Union (EU) has adopted some equal punishment Americans, but it is unclear how far the group and regional governments are willing to go to pressure Ortega.

It is also uncertain whether the US government is considering targeting former Marxist guerrilla leader Ortega directly. Murillo, seen by US officials as a powerful and influential figure, is already facing sanctions.

The Biden administration led a resolution last week by the Organization of American States that said “Alarm“Also looking for more methods of repression in Nicaragua Ortega put financial pressure on the government.

US officials have warned that membership of Nicaragua in a regional trade agreement Kafta–Doctor, which prioritizes Central American exports to the United States, If Ortega rigged the election in his favour, he could be in danger.

A State Department official confirmed that a review is underway. “We continue to review your participation in any assistance program sponsored by the United States.The source said.

However, the official acknowledged that the government is discussing possible legal hurdles to the Nicaraguan suspension of the trade deal, which some experts have suggested could complicate any action.

A person familiar with the matter said there are concerns even within the government that Nicaragua’s removal could cause significant damage to an already struggling economy. Deteriorating Nicaragua’s humanitarian situation, encouraging greater migration across the border between the United States and Mexico

About this Half of Nicaraguan exports go to the United StatesWith reduced tariff under CAFTA-DR.

(with information from Reuters)

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