The European Union (EU) has strongly denounced Nicaragua’s decision to expel its ambassador. “The EU deeply regrets and rejects this unjustified and unilateral decision”said the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell, Sunday, October 2, in a press release.
Declared persona non grata on Friday, the EU ambassador to the country, Bettina Muscheidt, flew to France on Saturday, via Mexico City. Nicaragua has also severed diplomatic relations with the Netherlands, with the government in The Hague being branded as“interventionist” of “neocolonial” and of “pro-imperial” after its ambassador, Christine Pirenne, had informed that her country was giving up financing the construction of a hospital within the framework of the cooperation.
“The EU also deeply regrets the disproportionate and unjustified unilateral decision taken on Friday by the Nicaraguan government to sever diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of the Netherlands and expresses its unwavering support for the Dutch government”he added.
“Dialogue” and “respect”
“These hostile and unjustified actions will not only affect bilateral relations between Nicaragua and the EU and its Member States, but will also lead to further international isolation of Nicaragua. In this context, the EU is considering the appropriate way forward and will respond in a firm and proportionate way.”he said.
“The current political crisis in Nicaragua should be resolved through genuine dialogue between the government and the opposition”he said. “The EU remains open to dialogue with Nicaragua, provided that this dialogue is conducted with respect”concludes Mr. Borrell.
Daniel Ortega was re-elected in November 2021 for a fourth consecutive term in a ballot from which all his potential opponents of weight, arrested or forced into exile, were absent.
The international community has never ceased to condemn the regime’s drift. The EU and the United States have imposed numerous sanctions against Nicaragua and regime figures over the past four years, citing in particular human rights violations.