Blinken accuses Nicaragua’s Ortega of taking undemocratic, authoritarian actions

After authorities arrested another opposing lawmaker ahead of elections later this year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega of pursuing additional undemocratic, dictatorial acts.

Blinken claimed in a statement on Saturday that Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, were trying to keep power “at all costs” by disqualifying possible opposition candidates.

“The US sees the regime’s recent undemocratic, authoritarian steps — motivated by Ortega’s fear of losing an election — as the ultimate blow to Nicaragua’s chances for a free and fair election,” Blinken said.

The presidential election in November in the Central American country has already “lost all credibility,” according to the statement.

Berenice Quezada, an opposition politician, was placed under house arrest on Wednesday after police accused her of inciting hatred and violence.

Quezada, a former beauty queen turned Ortega critic, was chosen as Oscar Sobalvarro’s running mate by the Citizens Alliance for Liberty Party, or ACXL, last week.

Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla who has turned on many of his old rebel colleagues, is seeking re-election for a fourth consecutive term.

His government has jailed political opponents on several occasions in recent months, including seven presidential candidates and a few dozen other opposition activists. Many people have been barred from running for office after being accused of undermining Nicaragua’s independence and sovereignty.

The United States of America released a statement on Friday. The State Department has placed visa restrictions on 50 Nicaraguan officials’ relatives, including legislators, prosecutors, and judges.

“The United States is committed to promoting broad accountability for anyone responsible for or benefiting from the Ortega-Murillo regime’s attacks on democratic institutions,” the State Department said in a statement.

Following the US announcement, his administration suspended Citizens Alliance for Liberty (ACXL), one of the few opposition groups that had put out a presidential candidate and running mate earlier this week.

ACXL was accused of violating electoral court regulations, including carrying out “verbal acts that undermine independence, sovereignty, and auto-determination,” according to a resolution from Nicaragua’s electoral court. The court also revoked ACXL’s president’s official identification card, who is a Nicaraguan-American dual nationality.