EU imposes new sanctions on Nicaragua

BRUSSELS

The European Union on Monday added seven people and three entities to its backlist for violating human rights in Nicaragua.

“The Council (of the European Union) decided today to impose restrictive measures on an additional seven individuals and three entities in view of the worsening situation in Nicaragua,” the EU institution representing member states announced in a statement.

The decision came on the same day as President Daniel Ortega started his fourth term following controversial elections in November.

Among others, the daughter and son of Ortega, who serve as presidential advisers, were added to the blacklist, as well as the country’s National Police, Supreme Electoral Council, and the Nicaraguan Institute of 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,” the statement said.

With the new additions, the EU is applying sanctions on 21 people and three entities in total, forbidding EU operators from making funds available for them and banning their entry into the bloc.

The EU has been applying restrictive measures for human rights breaches in Nicaragua since 2020.

According to a statement released by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in the aftermath of the move, “Elections held in Nicaragua on 7 November have taken place without democratic guarantees and their results lack legitimacy.”

The US on Monday also imposed new sanctions on six Nicaraguan officials, including the defense ministers, and banned another 116 individuals from entering the US.