Remarks by Maria Zakharova, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia
on the interference of the United States in the internal affairs of Nicaragua
We would like to comment on how the situation in Nicaragua is developing. As the general elections in this country, to be held next November 7, are approaching, a powerful wave of external pressure on the legitimate government of President Daniel Ortega is growing. This pressure has little to do with concern for a free democratic vote, as avowed by those exerting this pressure. It is beginning to turn into a "struggle without rules" with the obvious and undisguised objective of removing the Sandinistas from power, destabilizing the country.
It is noteworthy that the current open and blatant interference in Nicaragua's internal affairs, including matters related to the financing of this interference, are clearly stipulated in U.S. legislative and regulatory documents. In November 2018, the then US president adopted an executive order, describing the situation in this Central American country as nothing more and nothing less than "an extreme threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. In December 2018, the USA passed the Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act, by which the Americans blocked the financing of Nicaragua by international banks and monetary agencies (IMF, World Bank, etc.), introduced restrictions on obtaining visas and other limitations in relation to Nicaraguan state officials, abolished the "temporary protected status" for migrants from this country.
The circle of economic restrictions began to narrow in the midst of the pandemic. What cynicism! The White House drastically cut financial assistance to Nicaragua for social development, excluding the country from the list of Central American states receiving vaccines as humanitarian aid.
It is working towards the exclusion of Managua from regional free trade agreements. We are talking about the Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Central America and the Dominican Republic. Also, the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America.
Attempts are being made to suspend Managua's participation in the Organization of American States.
At the same time, they are intensifying efforts, stipulated in U.S. law (Article 8 of the Nica Act), to involve NGOs controlled by them in anti-government activities. All of the above is enshrined in U.S. law. Direct interaction with the opponents of the "regime" is personally coordinated by the US Ambassador in Managua, who holds regular meetings with them, outlining guidance. We already know this from examples in many other countries. According to expert estimates, more than one billion dollars were invested in the Nicaraguan opposition through USAID and other US "humanitarian structures". This money is not intended for social and humanitarian aid, or the fight against COVID19 , but serves to encourage the opposition forces of this state.
Ignoring the principle of the separation of the branches of power, a wave of hysteria has been promoted in relation tolegal processes against individuals of the opposition. At the same time, any steps by the legitimate authorities aimed at suppressing foreign interference are characterized by Western leaders exclusively as "suppression of freedom", its "strangulation" and everything else, according to the usual list. All these measures mirror restrictions in force in the United States itself - for example, under the "Foreign Agents Act" passed in 1938 - FARA. In the context of such concern on the part of the United States, it is surprising that Washington, instead of playing down mass beatings and even killings of protesters in other countries, including those in Latin America, on the contrary - actually justifies such actions.
The global pandemic and the socio-economic crisis it has provoked in many regions, including Latin America, demonstrates that today the main line of defense of democracy and human rights lies largely in the ability to ensure state governance. However, the Western collective operating in Nicaragua hinders this, freedom of choice gets replaced by efforts to fix the electoral process to a pre-programmed result responding to the interests of political engineering from outside.
We categorically reject attempts at foreign interference in Nicaragua's internal affairs. We are convinced that the people of this country have the right to determine , the future destiny of their country independently, without foreign interference. We sincerely wish success to the Government, peace and prosperity to the Nicaraguan people, with whom we are united by close relations of friendship and strategic alliance.
We will continue to follow the situation in Nicaragua and will report on our assessments of the future development of the situation.
