More US Action Needed Against Nicaragua's Repression, Senators Say
A bipartisan group of nine senators, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin, D-Md., urged the Biden administration on Feb. 29 to consider taking additional steps, including economic restrictions, to pressure Nicaraguan government officials to end their crackdown on political dissent and religious freedom.
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In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken that was copied to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the senators said that existing efforts against Nicaragua, including targeted sanctions on government officials, have been insufficient to change the government’s behavior. Additional efforts could include “exposing Nicaragua’s violations” under the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement and “reevaluating Nicaragua’s benefits” under the trade deal, the letter says.
"We urge you to fully use all available legislative authorities and diplomatic tools at your disposal to mobilize a robust, coordinated international response to advance a diplomatic solution to restore democracy in Nicaragua," the senators wrote.
Two members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee introduced a bill in January that would impose economic sanctions on NIcaragua's government for human rights violations (see 2401110055).