EU Council sanctions seven more individuals and three entities linked to Nicaragua regime

By Caribbean News Global

BRUSSELS, Belgium — The EU Council imposed restrictive measures on an additional seven individuals and three entities in view of the worsening situation in Nicaragua.

• Related: UK statement on Nicaragua: Presidential inauguration

“The new listings include family members of president Daniel Ortega and vice-president Rosario Murillo, the National Police of Nicaragua, the Supreme Electoral Council and the company overseeing telecommunications and postal services . Those targeted are responsible for serious human rights violations , including repression of civil society , supporting the fraudulent presidential and parliamentary elections and undermining democracy and the rule of law ,” said the EU in a press release Monday.

“Restrictive measures now apply to a total of 21 persons and three entities . Those designated are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. The individuals are also subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.”

• Related: Ortega regime has dismantled democratic institutions in Nicaragua, says minister Joly

The EU explained that on November 8, 2021, the High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy issued a declaration on behalf of the EU in which he underlined that the elections held in Nicaragua on November 7, 2021, had taken place without democratic guarantees and that their results lacked legitimacy. He declared that the Nicaraguan government had deprived the people of Nicaragua of the civil and political right to vote in a credible, inclusive, fair and transparent election, as well as their freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

Background and next steps

The sanctions regime in respect of Nicaragua was first introduced in October 2019, after the Council had repeatedly expressed its concern about the deteriorating political and social situation in the country. On May 4, 2020, in view of the continuing grave situation, the Council adopted the first restrictive measures against six individuals.

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