Central America

EU sanctions Nicaraguan leader’s wife, son over repression

AFP

The EU imposed sanctions Monday on Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s wife Rosario Murillo, who is his vice president, as well as one of his sons and six more officials.

The measures expand a previous sanctions list to now count a total of 14 individuals held “responsible for serious human rights violations in Nicaragua and/or whose actions undermined democracy or the rule of law” over ongoing repression in the Central American country.

“The detention of a seventh potential presidential candidate… sadly illustrates the magnitude of the repression in Nicaragua and projects a grim picture for the upcoming elections,” the European Council said.

The sanctions prohibit travel and transit in the EU for those targeted, a freeze on any EU-based assets and a ban on EU businesses or citizens from doing business with them.

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Ortega, 75, is expected to run for re-election in November 7 polls.

After a first stint as president between 1984 and 1990, he returned to power in 2007 and has stayed in office ever since. He made his wife his vice president in 2017.

In 2018, demonstrations against their rule were brutally put down by government forces, leaving more than 300 dead and pushing thousands into exile according to rights bodies.

In a clampdown that began on June 2, Ortega’s government has rounded up political rivals in a series of house raids and night-time arrests on charges of threatening Nicaragua’s sovereignty.

Ortega has called them seditious “criminals” and “agents of the Yankee empire”.

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Seven opposition presidential hopefuls are among 31 people detained. The latest was Noel Vidaurre, seized on July 24 and put under house arrest.

Despite pressure from the European Parliament, EU member states did not add Ortega himself to the growing sanctions list.

“These measures are targeted at individuals and are designed in this way not to harm the Nicaraguan population or the Nicaraguan economy,” the EU statement said.

It added that it “firmly condemned the repression of political opponents, demonstrators, independent media and civil society” continuing in Nicaragua.

In June, the United States announced sanctions against four Nicaraguan officials allied to Ortega, including his daughter.

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The EU and US are calling on Ortega to immediately release those arrested and for his government to hold dialogue with the opposition.

Central America

Nicaragua plummets to 172nd in RSF World Press Freedom Index

Nicaragua has been ranked 172nd in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and released on Friday. The country now finds itself at the bottom of the global ranking, positioned just above Russia, Belarus, Cuba, and Venezuela.

“At the bottom of the Index, Nicaragua (172) becomes the country with the worst score in Latin America, even behind Cuba (165),” RSF stated in its annual report.

RSF warned that the Sandinista regime led by Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo “has eradicated independent media, revoked the nationality of numerous journalists, and pushed hundreds into exile.”

Compared to 2024, Nicaragua dropped nine positions (from 163), among the 180 countries examined by the RSF ranking, which concluded that there is “no room for journalism” in the Central American nation.

Sports

Lautaro Martínez doubtful for UCL semifinal second leg after thigh injury

nter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez has suffered a muscle strain in his left thigh and will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis, the club announced Friday—just four days before the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal against Barcelona.

The Argentine World Cup winner is now in serious doubt for the crucial match against the Catalan giants, after being substituted at halftime due to the issue during Wednesday’s 3-3 first-leg draw.

“Lautaro Martínez underwent a series of medical tests this morning (Friday),” read a statement from the Nerazzurri. “The Argentine forward has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain in his left thigh.”

“His condition will continue to be monitored daily,” the club added.

Central America

Guatemala sees road blockades amid protests against lawmaker pay hikes

At least 16 points are blocked in Guatemala on Monday by the Committee for the Development of Rural Communities (Codeca), which is protesting the salary increase for members of Congress. The lawmakers are set to receive their third paycheck since the salary adjustment was approved in November 2024.

Although the Congressional Board of Directors announced the suspension of the salary increase at the end of March through an official document, it was later stated that the measure must be ratified by the full legislative body, requiring the approval of at least 81 of the 160 members. No reversal of this decision has been made so far. The salary of lawmakers has risen from GTQ 29,150 ($3,784) to GTQ 66,300 ($8,607). Their third elevated salary will be issued on Monday, according to local media.

The 23 deputies from the Semilla party, with which Bernardo Arévalo won the presidency, did not vote in favor of the proposal when it was presented. However, reports suggest that this may have been part of a negotiation with the opposition to approve a reform to the Law Against Organized Crime, aimed at ending legal persecution against them, as reported by the media outlet República. “The government must remember that the people defended it and it must serve the people,” stated Codeca’s official post on X (formerly Twitter).

Other grievances raised by the protesters include the rising cost of basic goods, demands to halt water privatization, an end to forced evictions, and the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras.

The Constitutional Court (CC) granted a provisional injunction on Sunday, ordering the government to allow free movement. While the court permitted the protest to proceed, it stated that the rights of the general public to mobility and access to commercial transport services should not be interrupted.