Nicaragua Leaves OAS, but Organization Warns It Will Continue To Monitor Human Rights Abuses Under Daniel Ortega Regime

Nicaragua continues to alienate its neighbors as the regime under dictator Daniel Ortega finally left the Organization of American States (OAS). However, the international organization vowed to continue monitoring the country over its various human rights abuses.

Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega's withdrawal from the organization began in November 2021 after the organization joined with its other member countries in condemning the 2021 elections, where Ortega ran unopposed because he imprisoned every single person who ran against him.

Nicaragua has been part of the OAS since 1950 and did not leave it even after the Sandinista Revolution first brought Ortega into power. However, the Ortega regime has since clamped down on any form of criticism, be it from its own citizens or the international community.

The country is even feuding with the Roman Catholic Church, which has been critical of how Ortega has been treating his opponents or those speaking out against him. This is evident when Ortega sent a prominent bishop critical of his administration into exile and stripped him of Nicaraguan citizenship.

Despite the Nicaraguan exit, the OAS vowed that it will "continue paying special attention to the situation in Nicaragua." It added that the organization will continue promoting "respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms there" in its resolution accepting Nicaragua's withdrawal.

"This is a clear message that we want to send to the Nicaraguan people, so that they know they are not alone," stated OAS Council President Ronald Sanders of Antigua and Barbuda. "We are not going to abandon them."

Other OAS Countries React to Nicaragua Leaving Organization

Brazil representative Benoni Belli released a statement soon after the Nicaragua exit from the OAS became official. He stated that Brazil hoped Nicaragua would return soon and even argued against taking punitive measures against the regime, saying that these measures are "not necessarily successful."

Meanwhile, Uruguay's representative at the OAS, Washington Abdala, also released a statement and warned Daniel Ortega about his departure.

"No, Mr. Ortega, it's not going to be so easy, it can't be so simple. This is not an ideological issue, of left or right, it is an essential issue of the lives of Nicaraguans who are having a really hard time of it under that dictatorship," Abdala said.

The man who used to represent Nicaragua in the OAS but has since turned critic of the dictator, Arturo McFields, stated that Nicaragua's withdrawal would be "a heavy blow to the fight for democracy and defense of human rights."

However, according to El Pais, he admitted that he was encouraged by the OAS resolution.

Nicaragua Profiting From Haitian Migrants Wanting To Go to the US

While Nicaragua has exited the OAS, the country is also drawing the ire of its neighbors as it continues to profit off migrants fleeing Haiti.

The Daniel Ortega regime is reportedly making millions from the mass influx of migrants trying to get into the US. El Pais reported that Nicaragua does not require an entry visa for Haitians and Cubans, and this is making it easy for the country to make millions from desperate people trying to escape their respective countries.

The money is generated from aircraft landing fees imposed on migrants. Sources have found that migrants are charged around $150-$200 as soon as they enter Nicaragua before getting sent their way north towards the US-Mexico border.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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