The United States announced today a significant expansion of visa restrictions targeting officials within the Nicaraguan government led by President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo.
In a press statement released by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the U.S. revealed it is imposing restrictions on an additional 250 individuals associated with the regime. This latest action brings the total number of Nicaraguan officials facing U.S. visa limitations to over 2,000.
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The announcement coincides with the seven-year anniversary of the Ortega-Murillo regime’s violent suppression of protests in Nicaragua. Secretary Rubio’s statement underscored the U.S. commitment to holding the regime accountable for its ongoing erosion of democratic principles and the forced exile of numerous Nicaraguans.
“The United States will not stand for Ortega and Murillo’s continued assault on Nicaragua,” Secretary Rubio declared. He also paid tribute to the “courage and desire” of the protestors who took to the streets seven years ago seeking a Nicaragua “free from tyranny.”
The visa restrictions are being implemented under Presidential Proclamation 10309, which allows for the suspension of entry into the U.S. for individuals, including members of the Nicaraguan government, who are implicated in policies or actions that undermine democratic institutions. This proclamation targets those who formulate, implement, or benefit from such actions.
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This latest move signals a continued hardening of the U.S. stance against the Ortega-Murillo administration, which has faced increasing international condemnation for its human rights record, suppression of dissent, and consolidation of power.
The U.S. government has called for the release of political prisoners, the restoration of democratic freedoms, and free and fair elections in Nicaragua.
The State Department has indicated that further inquiries regarding these actions can be directed to [email address removed]. This announcement is expected to further strain relations between Washington and Managua, as the U.S. seeks to exert pressure on the Nicaraguan government to change its course.
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