US sanctions 100 Nicaraguan municipal officials over rights abuses
Source: Reuters
US sanctions 100 Nicaraguan municipal officials over rights abuses
Ismael Lopez
Sat, August 19, 2023 at 12:55 PM EDT·1 min read
SAN JOSE (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Saturday sanctioned 100 Nicaraguan municipal officials accused of participating in human rights violations for their roles in the closure of a popular university and jailing of a prominent bishop.
The sanctions include a ban on travel to the United States. The officials are accused of repressing civil society and closing civic spaces such as the Central American University (UCA), a Jesuit school that was seized by the government this week.
The government a year ago imprisoned Bishop Rolando Alvarez, a fierce critic of President Daniel Ortega who was sentenced to 26 years in jail.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Saturday that the sanctioned officials allowed or facilitated violent campaigns, unjust detentions and restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms.
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Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/us-sanctions-100-nicaraguan-municipal-165521553.html
Original Reuters link (paywall): https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-sanctions-100-nicaraguan-municipal-officials-over-rights-abuses-2023-08-19/
