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Thousands of Nicaraguans marched in San Jose to protest President Ortega |
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 By the A.M. Costa Rica
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A large number of Nicaraguans marched through the streets of San Jose Sunday to demonstrate against President Daniel Ortega. According to the Nicaraguan organization in exile, thousands marched from the statue of Leon Cortes in Paseo Colon* to the Plaza de la Democracia* in San Jose, demanding justice, democracy and freedom. "The theme of the march is to fight for the liberation of the Nicaraguan people, which has been repressed for many years and to demand the departure of Ortega," the organizers said. In addition, the organization thanked the logistical support received from the Ministry of Security, the Municipality of San Jose and President Carlos Alvarado, so that the march could take place. The police reported that the march was peaceful and there were no incidents. In December during an extraordinary session of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States, representative of Costa Rica appealed to the international community to join multilateral efforts to ensure respect for human rights in Nicaragua, as A.M. Costa Rica reported at the time. Montserrat Solano, the ombudsman, headed the Costa Rican delegation. "As a country of peace, we call on the international community to join multilateral efforts aimed at ensuring full respect for human rights in Nicaragua, the reopening of the dialogue to restore peace, understanding, protect the integrity of the democratic system and promote the normalization of that country," said Antonio Alarcón, a member of the delegation. Luis Almagro, secretary general of the Organization of American States, said "The logic of dictatorship is installed in Nicaragua, and the organization must act to protect and defend. We are forced to begin the process of applying Article 20 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter to Nicaragua." The Permanent Council would have to declare by simple majority, with at least 18 votes, that in Nicaragua there is an alteration to the constitutional and democratic order, said an organization spokesperson. If there is no way out through diplomatic channels, the application of the charter's Article 20 would be the prelude to the organization approving Article 21, which would completely remove Nicaragua from its participation in this organization. Invoking the charter could lead to sanctions against Nicaragua or its suspension from the hemispheric bloc, though it is not clear whether the required 24 of 34 member nations would support that. |
 Nicaraguans in Exile Organization courtesy photo The theme of the march is to fight for the liberation of the Nicaraguan people. Costa Rica served as chair of the Permanent Council until Dec. 31. Since Jan. 1, that presidency has moved to El Salvador. The 2018 Nicaraguan protests began last April 18 when demonstrators in several cities of Nicaragua began protests against the social security reforms decreed by Ortega that increased taxes and decreased benefits. After five days of unrest in which nearly 30 people were killed, Ortega announced the cancellation of the reforms. The opposition, however, continues to denounce Ortega and demand his resignation, becoming one of the largest protests in his government's history and the deadliest civil conflict since the end of the Nicaraguan Revolution. In September the United Nations condemned the actions as being a violation of human rights regarding freedom of assembly. The Central American nation has been mired in a political crisis since protests broke out. More than 320 people were killed, and independent rights groups accuse the government and allied, armed civilian groups of violently cracking down on demonstrations and persecuting opponents. Ortega alleges that the protests amounted to an attempted coup against him. Last month the Nicaraguan government shut down prominent non-governmental organizations and news outlets and expelled international monitors documenting alleged rights abuses. ---- Should Nicaragua must be eliminated from the Organization of American States? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com |
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