Commissioner Diaz urges return to democracy in Nicaragua

MIAMI-DADE – The Miami-Dade County Commission on May 5 adopted legislation sponsored by Jose “Pepe” Diaz urging Congress to promote democracy and prevent human rights abuses in Nicaragua and increase political and economic pressure on the government of Daniel Ortega.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Congressman Albio Sires have filed bills calling on Nicaragua to release all political prisoners and cease all acts of repression against dissenting voices, urge the Nicaraguan government to respect its citizens’ constitutional rights and implement electoral reforms, and recognize and encourage efforts to promote democracy in Nicaragua by holding corrupt actors and human rights abusers in the Nicaraguan government accountable for their actions.

Under its current president Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua has been guilty of political repression, electoral fraud and other abuses. During peaceful protests that took place in 2018, Nicaraguan security forces, paramilitary, police, and other actors working under the direction of the Ortega regime committed gross violations of human rights and acts of repression, resulting in more than 325 deaths, over 2,000 injuries, and at least 800 arbitrary detentions, according to the Organization of American States. More than 150 political prisoners remain in Nicaraguan prisons, according to Nicaragua’s Civil Alliance for Justice and Democracy.