US sanctions five senior Nicaraguan officials under executive order
The United States imposed sanctions on five senior Nicaraguan officials under Executive Order 13851, as amended by Executive Order 14088, the State Department said. The action targets officials tied to repression under Nicaragua’s Murillo-Ortega government.
The United States is imposing sanctions on five senior Nicaraguan officials, according to a State Department press statement issued by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas “Tommy” Pigott.
The State Department said the officials “incited regional instability” through the consolidation of power and “ongoing abuses against the Nicaraguan people.” It said the individuals sanctioned lead government agencies responsible for acts of repression.
The statement described a pattern of repression since 2018, including violent suppression of peaceful protests and the detention, torture and killing of political opponents. It also cited persecution of Catholic clergy, the silencing and banishment of independent media and civil society organizations, constitutional changes to enable punishment of political opponents, and arbitrary monitoring and control of telecommunications systems.
The State Department said the action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13851, as amended by Executive Order 14088, and directed readers to a Department of the Treasury press release for additional information.
The statement also reiterated a U.S. call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Nicaragua.
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