The Council of the European Union Monday imposed sanctions on seven more individuals and three entities for serious human rights violations, repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and undermining the rule of law in Nicaragua.
On October 14, 2019, the Council issued a regulation concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua (2019 Regulation). By a declaration dated May 4, 2020 (2020 Regulation), the first six names were added to the blacklist. The Council had also added eight individuals, including Vice President Rosario Murillo, to the list on August 2, 2021 (2021 Regulation).
The funds and economic resources of those named are to be frozen and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. They are also subject to a travel ban and prohibited from entering or transiting through EU territory.
The regulation issued on Monday adds 10 names to the blacklist (2022 Regulation). The decision was announced on the same day Daniel Ortega commenced his controversial fourth term as president. The total number of those sanctioned now stands at 21 individuals and three entities.
The individuals added to the list include the son and daughter of Daniel Ortega. The list also names members and post-holders of the Supreme Electoral Council, the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Postal Services, and the Superintendency of Banks and other Financial Institutions of Nicaragua. The entities named include the National Police of Nicaragua, the Supreme Electoral Council, and the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Postal Services.
EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a declaration on November 8, 2021 calling on Daniel Ortega to return the sovereignty of Nicaragua to the Nicaraguan people and underlining that:
Elections held in Nicaragua on 7 November have taken place without democratic guarantees and their results lack legitimacy . . . [T]he integrity of the electoral process was crushed by the systematic incarceration, harassment and intimidation of presidential pre-candidates, opposition leaders, student and rural leaders, journalists, human rights defenders and business representatives.
