The Organization of American States (OAS) announced elections in Nicaragua last Friday (12). President Daniel Ortega was re-elected, Was unfair and lacked “democratic legitimacy”, prompting the institution to demand “immediate collective evaluation.”

The text was approved by 25 votes to 34 active members of the bloc. Seven countries abstained, including Mexico and Honduras. Nicaragua voted against because the delegation from St. Kitts and Nevis was not present.

“Democratic institutions in Nicaragua have been severely undermined by the Nicaraguan government,” the statement said, adding that “all political candidates and prisoners must be released.”

It therefore urges the Permanent Council, the Executive Body of the OAS, to “conduct an immediate joint assessment (…) to be completed by November 30 and take appropriate action”.

At the request of Nicaragua, the vote was by roll call, which rejected the resolution “in the most obvious way.”

“We are witnessing another attack on the free people of Nicaragua,” Ortega government spokesman Michael Campbell criticized, questioning the democratic institutions of the countries that supported the text, such as Colombia, Brazil and the United States.

Ortega, who has been in power for 14 consecutive years, has renewed his term after imprisoning or deporting potential rivals.

Now, the permanent council must act quickly, because, in the opinion of OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro, there is no time to lose.

OAS members have a variety of tools, such as diplomatic negotiations and an extraordinary general assembly that can even suspend Nicaragua from the organization.

Argentina agreed

Among those who voted in favor of the resolution, Argentina stood out, abstaining from supporting two permanent council resolutions this year calling for free elections and the release of all imprisoned opponents.

“We are pursuing the current draft resolution with the conviction, hope and political will to continue working in favor of the debate,” said Argentine Vice Chancellor Pablo Tetamonti, who has rejected the use of “sanctions” or “blockade” as a solution. Differences.

The United States celebrated the adoption of the resolution. “The Inter-American Democratic Charter compels the hemisphere to protect the democratic rights of the Nicaraguan people, and we must fulfill those obligations,” declared US Deputy Bradley Frieden, who compared Ortega’s government to that of former guerrilla fighter Anastasio Somoza. He was overthrown in the 1979 Sandinista Revolution.

In addition to Mexico and Honduras, Bolivia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Belize and Dominica abstained.

“Experience shows the ineffectiveness of isolation policies,” argued Mexican Ambassador Luce Elena Banos.

Bolivia’s ambassador to the Bolivian government, Hector R.S.

Critical rain

In the General Assembly, which hosted Guatemala, the OAS ‘position on the crisis in the region was widely criticized. Peru will host the next meeting as decided at the end of the Conclave.

The slogan “For a New America” ​​served as a reason for calling for changes in the OAS. Bolivia suggested “rethinking the OAS”. Paraguay considered the organization to “seek new forms of communication” with its members as the Pandemic and Digital Revolution “changed the rules of the game”.

The Dominican Republic considers the OAS to play an important role in “strengthening democracy” and its “lights and shadows” to be a “lamp” on multiple occasions. In the same vein, Uruguay highlighted the role of the organization in “protecting democracy and human rights”.

Other countries cited Venezuela in their speeches, calling for the resumption of talks with the opposition, led by Juan Guido, who has been recognized by more than 50 countries as interim president.

At the last Plenary Session, the Inter-American Corporate Charter for the Promotion of Development called for a declaration on Haiti to “support the authorities in their efforts to restore security” and to assist in “free, fair and transparent elections under international scrutiny.” .

Although it represents 8% of the world’s population, in an area with 32% deaths, the health crisis caused by Kovid-19 is one of the most recurring topics in speeches.

Women’s empowerment, global warming, poverty and minorities were also mentioned.