Swedish Ambassadors Urge Action Against Ortega Regime in Nicaragua

Seven former Swedish ambassadors to Nicaragua have signed a letter urging their country's authorities to take a more active role in opposing the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo. The letter, published in the Svenska Dagbladet newspaper, outlines the brutal repression and human rights abuses carried out by the Ortega regime.

Why this matters: The international community's response to the Ortega regime's human rights abuses has significant implications for democracy and human rights globally. If left unchecked, Nicaragua's authoritarian government could embolden other regimes to follow suit, leading to a decline in global democratic standards.

The ambassadors note Sweden's long history of involvement in Nicaragua, dating back to the 1979 revolution. Thousands of Swedes contributed to the country's economic and social development, building schools, health centers, and strengthening agriculture. However, under Ortega and Murillo, Nicaragua has become what the letter describes as a "brutal dictatorship" that has imprisoned, exiled, and stripped citizenship from opposition figures, including politicians, journalists, human rights defenders, and priests.

The Ortega regime's crackdown on civil society has been severe. It has declared 4,000 non-profit organizations illegal, closed and confiscated universities, denied students access to course records and diplomas, banned traditional Catholic Church processions, and required prior authorization for public events. Nicaragua has also broken relations with the Vatican, the only country in Latin America to do so, and expelled the representative of the International Red Cross.

In their letter, the ambassadors propose several actions Sweden can take to pressure the Ortega regime. These include cutting off World Bank financing to Nicaragua, ensuring EU agencies apply human rights clauses in trade agreements that could lead to restrictions, and promoting the implementation of the International Convention to Reduce Statelessness, which Nicaragua has ratified but violated by stripping opposition figures of citizenship for political reasons.

The former ambassadors argue that opposing the Nicaraguan dictatorship aligns with Sweden's foreign policy goals. "It is in our own interest to weaken the bridgehead for Russian, Chinese, Iranian, and other authoritarian powers that Nicaragua currently represents," the letter states. "Opposing the dictatorship also means actively defending the position of democracy and human rights in the world, which has always been a cornerstone of Swedish foreign policy to promote peaceful development."

The letter comes as Sergio Ramírez, a multi-awarded Nicaraguan writer and former vice president who has long since broken with the Ortega regime, prepares to visit Sweden. Ramírez, whose books have been banned in Nicaragua, now lives in exile in Spain. His visit will likely bring further attention to the situation in Nicaragua and the efforts of those opposing the Ortega dictatorship.

Key Takeaways

• 7 former Swedish ambassadors urge Sweden to oppose Nicaragua's dictatorship.
• Nicaragua's regime has committed human rights abuses, imprisoned opposition, and stripped citizenship.
• Sweden has a long history of involvement in Nicaragua, dating back to the 1979 revolution.
• The ambassadors propose cutting off World Bank financing and promoting human rights clauses in trade agreements.
• Opposing the dictatorship aligns with Sweden's foreign policy goals and defends democracy and human rights.