European Parliament condemns "electoral farce" in Nicaragua

The European Parliament approved a resolution on Thursday which called the elections held in Nicaragua on Nov. 7 a “farce” and concluded that the rigged vote completed Nicaragua’s conversion into an autocratic regime.

The resolution was adopted by 619 votes in favor and 25 against – with 41 abstentions.

Referencing a recent report published by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, European members of parliament stated that Nicaragua has become a police state and that Daniel Ortega’s regime has consolidated power through repression, corruption, and electoral fraud – in an attempt to “perpetuate its power and maintain its privileges and immunities.”

In the resolution, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) stressed that Nicaraguan authorities eliminated all credible electoral competition and “crushed the integrity of the electoral process” by “systematically and arbitrarily” incarcerating, harassing and intimidating seven candidates and dozens of opposition leaders – including students, journalists, human rights advocates and members of the business community.

MEPs further demanded that Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega be added to the EU’s list of sanctioned individuals and urged the European Union to explore economic sanctions against the regime. The resolution also concluded that holding free elections, restoring the rule of law and ending repression and fear are necessary conditions for any further dialogue between the European Union and the Nicaraguan regime.

The Biden administration also condemned Ortega's regime and the fraudulent elections last month and announced that it was implementing a travel ban on members of the Nicaraguan regime. 

Biden’s travel ban applies to Nicaragua’s elected officials, including Daniel Ortega, Ortega’s wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, members of the country’s security force, judges, mayors and others who were deemed to be undermining democracy in the Central American country. 

"The repressive and abusive acts of the Ortega government and those who support it compel the United States to act," said Biden.

According to the Biden administration, this measure shows how the U.S. is willing to support those Nicaraguans who want a democratic country. 

Biden’s decree came days after the United States, Britain and Canada imposed sanctions on Nicaraguan officials in response to the country’s sham presidential elections on November 7.