Daniel Ortega (left) and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
247 — A resolution calling for the establishment of democracy in Nicaragua was adopted this Friday (23) by the Organization of American States (OAS) working group responsible for the country after a wide debate, Folha de S.Paulo reported. Brazil endorsed the document, but the process of discussion leading to the final version sparked controversy and public pressure from exiles from the Nicaraguan regime, who asked the Brazilian government for more support and harsh criticism against dictator Daniel Ortega.
More than 50 Nicaraguans who were stripped of their citizenship spoke out during the trial. The final text of the resolution calls for the “effective exercise of representative democracy” in Nicaragua, referring to a term used in the InterAmerican Democratic Charter, which is considered a kind of “Bible” of the OAS. Changes proposed by Brazilian diplomacy included replacing the original proposal calling for the return of democracy in Nicaragua with a call for “democracy strengthening”.
During the discussions, the Brazilian proposal was leaked by Arturo McFields, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the organization, drawing criticism. Exiled Nicaraguans have claimed the proposal aims to “challenge the unprecedented brutality of the dictatorship” and “insult the families and all victims of totalitarian state repression.”
Interlocutors from Itamaraty told Folha that the purpose of the change was to express concern about the situation in Managua without closing the door on a possible dialogue with Ortega, justifying the choice of more careful language. They also criticized the leaking of Brazilian proposals, claiming it was an attempt to disqualify Brazil as a key mediator in debates about the Central American regime.
Many of Brazil’s demands were retained in the final version of the resolution, which was drafted by the working group that also included the governments of Chile, Costa Rica and the United States. One of the originally proposed amendments said the OAS was “deeply concerned” by reports of repression. Brazil suggested expressing “extreme concern” and this amendment was retained in the final text. The main change made by Brasilia was a call for dialogue, which said the OAS was ready “to work constructively with Nicaragua to meet its international obligations related to human rights.”
PROCEED TO RECOMMENDATIONS
The final vote on the resolution in the OAS plenum was scheduled for this Friday. The text expresses concern over the cases of more than 3,000 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) whose legal status has been revoked and whose assets have been confiscated since 2018, including the Red Cross. In addition, the resolution expresses deep concern at allegations of persecution against members of the clergy and religious communities, who have been the target of arbitrary arrests, hostilities and expulsions from the country.
On Thursday (22), a few hours before his departure from Italy, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) stated that during his conversation with Pope Francis the day before at the Vatican, he had committed himself to issues such as the arrest of Bishop Rolando Álvarez to discuss with Daniel Ortega. Lula stated that he intends to speak with Ortega about the bishop’s release and stressed that he should not be prevented from serving in the Church. Bishop Álvarez was arrested for preaching dissident sermons, stripped of his citizenship and subsequently sentenced to 26 years in prison.
In March, Brazil announced its willingness to accept Nicaraguan expatriates. As a result of repression in the country, there was an increase in Nicaraguan emigration. According to a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), last year Nicaraguans were the fourth nationality most likely to seek asylum in other countries, behind Venezuelans, Afghans and Cubans. A total of 165,800 Nicaraguans applied for asylum in 2022, almost 50% more than the year before.