Nicaragua requested this Friday to leave the Organization of American States (OAS), which did not know the legitimacy of the November 7 elections, where President Daniel Ortega was elected for a fourth consecutive term.
“I am writing to officially notify you of our unwavering decision to denounce the OAS Charter, in accordance with Article 143 that begins Nicaragua’s definitive withdrawal and resignation from this organization,” says the letter addressed to the OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro, and signed by Nicaraguan Foreign Minister, Denis Moncada.
In the letter addressed to the Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, the foreign minister says that he is acting on the instructions of President Ortega. The exit process lasts two years, during which time Nicaragua must comply with its pending obligations with the agency.
Ortega, a 76-year-old ex-guerrilla in power since 2007, won his fourth consecutive term, with seven of his potential opposition rivals imprisoned on charges of conspiracy and other pre-election crimes, amid strong international criticism.
The United States is barred from entering him, his wife, and Vice President Rosario Murillo and to his ministers.
The Ortega government made the decision after the OAS General Assembly On November 12, it ignored the legitimacy of the Nicaraguan elections, with the support of 25 of its 34 members.
The elections “were not free, fair, or transparent and do not have democratic legitimacy,” declared the OAS, which warned that it would take measures based on the Democratic Charter, which include the possible suspension of Nicaragua from the body.
The government said it acted on the basis of a call made by Congress on Monday and that was later backed by the other powers of the State, all under the ruler’s control. Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN, left).
The ruling consensus is to withdraw from the OAS, considering it “interference” and that it “obeys” the interests of the United States.
Managua maintains tense relations with Washington as a result of the convictions and sanctions against more than 30 Nicaraguan officials, for corruption and violation of human rights during the repression of protests against the Ortega government in 2018.
According to a recent report by the Inter-American Commission on Human rights (IACHR), the demonstrations left 355 dead, 1,614 detained, of which more than 150 remain in prison, and more than 103,000 exiles.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx