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Nicaraguan government strips nearly a hundred opponents of their nationality

Nicaraguan government strips nearly a hundred opponents of their nationality
Photo: AP

16 de febrero | Redacción |

The Nicaraguan justice on Wednesday withdrew the nationality of at least 94 people critical of President Daniel Ortega, accused of the crime of “treason”, informed magistrate Ernesto Rodríguez in official media.

Rodríguez read out a resolution in which he indicated that these persons were imposed “accessory penalties” which include absolute and special disqualification to hold public office, as well as to hold elected office and the loss of their citizenship rights “in perpetuity”.

The list includes opposition members, journalists, former ambassadors and former deputies; among them stand out the poet Gioconda Belli and the former vice-president of Nicaragua Sergio Ramírez.

Other journalists include Wilfredo Miranda, correspondent for El País; Carlos Fernando Chamorro, director of Confidencial and son of former Nicaraguan President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro; and Lucía Pineda Ubau, a former political prisoner.

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“This is something I expected since 2018 when they stole our TV Channel, 100%Noticias,” Ubau told VOA. “But God will return everything to me, I put it in God’s hands, my house cost me and when God chooses the moment when they will return everything to me it will be better.”

Nicaragua’s former diplomat to the OAS, Arturo McFields, who is also on the list, reacted on Twitter after the court’s decision and said that being declared a traitor to the homeland “means that we are fighting for the return of democracy to Nicaragua”.

Also on the list are Supreme Court Justice Rafael Solís; as well as priests Silvio José Báez, Uriel Vallejos and Edwin Román.

The measure was announced a week after the Nicaraguan government released 222 political prisoners who were also stripped of their nationality, in a measure criticized by human rights organizations.

The U.S. government was quick to react to the announcement and, through Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols, described the action as “deplorable”.

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“We condemn today’s action by the government of Nicaragua stripping 94 more Nicaraguan citizens of their nationality,” Nichols said on social media. “This deplorable act represents a step in the opposite direction of the democracy that the people of Nicaragua deserve.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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