E.U. strikes back, declares Nicaraguan envoy 'persona non grata' after communist regime expels ambassador

The European Union declared the head of Nicaragua’s delegation to the European bloc “persona non grata” on Monday, weeks after the Central American country expelled the E.U. ambassador. 

The E.U. said in a statement that its decision was “a reciprocal response to the decision by the Nicaraguan government on 28 September to declare the head of the EU Delegation to Nicaragua as persona non grata.” 

“The EU considers the Nicaraguan decision unwarranted,” the statement added. 

“The EU remains open to dialogue with Nicaragua, provided that this dialogue is conducted in a respectful manner,” it continued. 

On October 2, the E.U. ambassador to Nicaragua, Bettina Muscheidt, was expelled by the regime of Daniel Ortega for her alleged "interference and disrespect to national sovereignty," according to officials from the Central American country. 

Ortega has been widely criticized for the November 2021 presidential elections, when he was elected as president for the fourth consecutive term after a crackdown against the opposition. Ahead of the elections, the regime arrested more than 46 opposition leaders and six presidential candidates.  

Subsequently, the regime has relentlessly cracked down on NGOs and other groups, including the Catholic Church and the International Red Cross. According to Ortega, the groups oppose the regime and are receiving funds from abroad to attempt to remove him from office. 

“The EU reaffirms its continued commitment to the Nicaraguan people and to defending democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. The current political crisis in Nicaragua should be resolved through genuine dialogue between the government and opposition,” said the E.U. statement.