The United States has intensified its actions against the Nicaraguan regime, imposing visa restrictions on more than 350 members of the Nicaraguan National Police. This announcement, made by the U.S. State Department, highlights the role of the police in stifling civil liberties and using violence to suppress dissent.
By denying citizens the right to organize, express themselves freely, and live without fear, the police have become a key tool in undermining democracy in Nicaragua.
Since President Joe Biden’s 2021 proclamation authorizing entry bans for individuals who threaten democratic governance, over 1,750 Nicaraguan officials have faced visa restrictions.
This approach aims to hold accountable those enabling the authoritarian rule of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, who have been accused of rigging elections and consolidating power since 2006. Ortega’s actions have drawn widespread international condemnation for their impact on Nicaragua’s democratic institutions.
Repression under Ortega’s administration escalated further in 2023, as the government targeted critics by shutting down media outlets, NGOs, and universities. Human Rights Watch has highlighted the regime’s systematic dismantling of civil society as a means of tightening control.
Visa Bans Target Nicaraguan Police Over Repression of Civil Liberties and Democratic Rights
The U.S. Commerce Department also added the Nicaraguan National Police to its export Entity List for alleged human rights violations, cutting off access to critical resources and signaling international disapproval.
In May, the United States implemented visa bans on over 250 members of Ortega’s government, reflecting its ongoing commitment to pressuring the regime. The Ortega administration has revoked the legal status of over 5,500 NGOs, effectively silencing dissent and eliminating avenues for civic engagement. This systematic crackdown has stripped Nicaraguans of platforms essential for advocating democratic rights.
The U.S. government continues to condemn these actions, calling on Ortega and Murillo to end the persecution of civil society advocates and to respect fundamental freedoms. By imposing these restrictions and maintaining international pressure, the United States seeks to push the Nicaraguan leadership toward restoring democracy and safeguarding human rights for its people.
