Ortega accuses US of “boycotting” Nicaragua elections

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega on Sunday accused the United States of “boycotting” November’s general elections, after most potential opposition candidates were imprisoned on charges of “undermining the sovereignty” of the country.

“The Empire doesn’t want elections in Nicaragua, the Empire wants to boycott, re-sow terrorism in our country, but God willing we’re going to hold those elections” and “People out to vote Will go,” Ortega said, without giving details of his complaint, during an act in Managua.

According to the president, the November 7 elections are “another step in our fight for our second independence,” alluding to the United States’ perceived “dominance” over countries in the region after Spanish colonization.

“The Yankees came and they called America for Americans and started dominating our countries. And any country that didn’t allow itself to dominate, invaded or gave them a coup,” he recalled.

He claimed that when Washington’s candidates do not win elections “they do everything possible to destabilize the country, as they have done in the past in Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and Brazil.

Seven candidates for the presidency of the opposition have been jailed since June 2 by Nicaraguan justice for “undermining freedom, sovereignty, self-determination and inciting foreign interference”.

Among those arrested is Cristiana Chamorro, daughter of former President Violet Barrios de Chamorro (1990–1997), who after two consecutive re-elections since 2007 to face an almost certain candidacy for Ortega’s reelection to power. appeared as

Ortega’s supporters believe the 75-year-old will be nominated for the presidency for the fourth time in a row.

His opposition rivals will not be able to register because of charges brought against him by the prosecutor’s office based on a controversial law approved last December that punishes those promoting or appreciating international sanctions against Managua with prison.

More than thirty Ortega officials and relatives have been sanctioned by Washington for corruption and human rights violations since 2018, when the country was rocked by strong protests that killed more than 300 people in repression.

Ortega attributed the rebellion to a failed US-backed coup, accusing opponents of “terrorists” and ignoring international criticism.

“There’s no room for dialogue or understanding with the Empire (…) Yankee doesn’t understand, he thinks he’s the master of the world … he thinks he’s a Superman,” the president said. , “The invasions of the empire will be victorious.”

Ortega spoke with his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, after attending a polling station at their home in Managua to confirm whether their names were on the voters’ list.

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