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Nicaragua opposition party barred from

elections
8 hours ago

Nicaragua crisis

AFP

Carmella Rogers Amburn, also known as Kitty Monterrey, has had her citizenship revoked

The main opposition party in Nicaragua has been disqualified ahead of the
country's November elections.

The electoral council said the president of the Citizens Alliance for Liberty
Party (CXL) holds dual US and Nicaraguan citizenship in violation of the law.

President Daniel Ortega has been accused of silencing the opposition.

Earlier on Friday, the US imposed visa restrictions on dozens of Nicaraguans

linked to the government.

Nicaragua's supreme electoral council accused CXL of carrying out "verbal

Nicaragua's supreme electoral council accused CXL of carrying out "verbal
acts that undermine independence, sovereignty and auto-determination".

The electoral council, which is tied to the ruling party, also revoked the
citizenship of CXL's leader Carmella Rogers Amburn, also known as Kitty
Monterrey, leaving her at risk of deportation.

It comes just days after a former beauty queen was arrested after registering
as an opposition candidate. Authorities charged Berenice Quezada, who was
crowned Miss Nicaragua in 2017, with inciting terrorism and she was released
pending trial.

Why speaking out in Nicaragua is getting tough

Nicaragua opposition figure put under house arrest

Opposition to Mr Ortega, who is currently in his fourth term in office, three of

them consecutive, has been growing in the past years.

In 2018, mass anti-government protests swept through the country but were
met with a violent police response. Hundreds were killed and thousands were
injured in the clashes between the protesters on the one hand, and the
security forces and pro-government militia on the other.

After many of those who had lead the demonstrations were arrested, the
protests eventually fizzled out later that year.

Mr Ortega rejected calls made at the time for elections to be brought forward
and continued to serve his term.

But critics say that with the scheduled date of the presidential poll
approaching - they are due to be held in November 2021 - he is now targeting
anyone who may stand against him.

Related Topics

Nicaragua Nicaragua crisis

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