Washington urges international partners to cut off "all forms of engagement" with Nicaragua

Washington, Sept 2 (KUNA) -- The United States on Wednesday condemned the National Assembly of Nicaragua’s approval on Tuesday of constitutional amendments and urged its international partners to cut off all forms of engagement with the regime co-led by Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “The National Assembly, controlled by Rosario Murillo and Daniel Ortega, yesterday undermined the last vestiges of democracy in Nicaragua by rewriting the country’s constitution to entrench their illegitimate dynastic rule and indefinitely deprive Nicaraguans of free and fair elections.”

Rubio called on “international partners to immediately halt all forms of routine engagement with this regime,” noting that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump “will continue to commit to identifying and implementing measures to address the human rights violations committed by Murillo and Ortega, including through forums such as the Organization of American States.”

Yesterday, the Nicaraguan Congress approved a “constitutional reform” that bars opposition parties from participating in elections and extends the presidential term from six to seven years. The move, backed by co-presidents Ortega and Murillo, received approval in the first voting stage within the National Assembly.

Murillo announced on Monday that the amendment would be finally approved in a second vote beginning on January 18, as Nicaraguan law requires constitutional changes to be ratified across two separate legislative sessions before entering into force.

The constitutional reform also extends the terms of the co-presidents and other elected officials, as well as military and police commanders, from six to seven years. (End) R.S.R. / M.A.A.