International

The UN denounces a serious repressive climate in Nicaragua, with arbitrary arrests and expulsions

The political situation in Nicaragua “continues to deteriorate” and “a serious repressive climate” reigns in the country, the UN Office for Human Rights said on Monday, recalling that since February 2023 at least 546 Nicaraguans have been stripped of their nationality and currently 76 people are still arbitrarily detained.

In addition, in recent months, the authorities have promoted reforms “aimed at concentrating more power in the Presidency and criminalizing dissident voices,” stressed the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, in an update on the situation in the country presented at an intersession meeting of the Human Rights Council.

Of the 546 Nicaraguans who have been deprived of their nationality and expelled, 135 of them in September, Al-Nashif recalled that “they have been in precarious conditions abroad” and many are stateless, their assets being confiscated.

Others are not able to establish their Nicaraguan nationality since the Government refuses to renew their passports or send documentation when they are abroad, “erasing their legal identity and preventing connections with their homeland,” stressed the “number two” of the UN human rights office.

Arbitrary arrests

Regarding arbitrary arrests, Al-Nashif stressed that political opponents, religious and indigenous leaders and human rights defenders continue to be victims of this abusive instrument.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

“In the last days of November, at least 30 people were arbitrarily detained, including three children,” said the deputy high commissioner.

He added that the UN Human Rights Office has received information that “reveals a consistent pattern of due process violations, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, terrible detention conditions and physical and psychological torture, including sleep deprivation and denial of medical care.”

Al-Nashif mentioned some individual cases of abuse victims such as Angélica Chavarría, whereabouts since May 2024 and partner of retired General Humberto Ortega, who died in September when he was deprived of liberty.

He also cited the case of indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera and former presidential adselor on indigenous affairs Steadman Fagoth, who also disappeared.

“We urge the immediate release of all persons arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, including those detained for exercising their rights to free expression and assembly,” stressed Al-Nashif, who also called for an end to enforced disappearances and cases of torture and mistreatment.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

Worrying reforms

Regarding the legal reforms that concern the office, Al-Nashif cited those that recently expanded the powers of the State to prosecute even alleged crimes committed outside Nicaragua.

These types of laws, which include activities on social networks, which according to the authorities could “induce panic” or threaten “social stability,” pave the way “to more political persecution and erosion of fundamental rights,” he stressed.

Al-Nashif also mentioned the constitutional reforms in the process of parliamentary review and that, if they come into force, “will further erode the rule of law” with “ambiguous texts to restrict freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.”

The human rights crisis in Nicaragua “is deepening,” concluded Al-Nashif, who stressed that “it is in the interest of the Government and the Nicaraguan people to return to a democratic path and maintain a constructive dialogue to that end.”

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

International

Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport

Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.

Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.

The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.

International

U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.

In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.

Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”