OAS demands free-election conditions and prisoner releases in Nicaragua
The Organization of American States adopted a unanimous resolution calling for conditions for free elections and the unconditional release of political prisoners in Nicaragua. Ministers meeting in Washington created a group to engage the government and opposition. The resolution follows Daniel Ortega’s declaration that there would be no more elections and imposes no specific sanctions, despite the secretary-general’s call for targeted restrictions. Nicaragua did not attend, having left the organisation in 2023.
Geopolitics··Night
Resolution seeks elections and prisoner releases
The Organization of American States, the regional body bringing together countries in the Americas, adopted a resolution on Nicaragua at a meeting in Washington on 2 October. The organisation unanimously called for conditions enabling free, fair and inclusive elections. It also demands the unconditional release of political prisoners and establishes a group to seek dialogue with the Nicaraguan authorities and opposition.[1], [2]
The resolution urges the restoration of the separation of powers, disclosure of the whereabouts of disappeared people and restoration of citizenship to those stripped of it. It imposes no specific sanctions on the administration of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. The follow-up group is tasked with engaging the authorities and opposition and presenting recommendations, rather than implementing punitive measures contained in the resolution.[1]
Washington meeting draws uneven ministerial attendance
The United States, Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and the Dominican Republic promoted the resolution. Of the organisation’s 34 member states, only seven sent foreign ministers: Guatemala, Paraguay, Jamaica, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia and Haiti. Other governments sent lower-ranking representatives. Nicaragua did not attend, having left the organisation in 2023. Brazil opposed language describing Nicaragua as a possible threat to regional peace and security; it had previously voted against convening the meeting.[1]
Brazil and Uruguay registered reservations about the regional-security language in footnotes to the declaration. The resolution also states that leaving the organisation does not exempt Nicaragua from its international human-rights obligations. This addresses the country’s position following its 2023 departure while the group seeks direct dialogue with its authorities.[2]
Ortega’s election declaration preceded the resolution
The meeting followed Ortega’s 19 July declaration that no more elections would be held, alongside a constitutional-reform initiative excluding opposition participation. The organisation last held this type of foreign-minister consultation in 2019 over Venezuela’s political and human-rights crisis. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Nicaragua had rejected the new US ambassador, Natasha Franceschi. Secretary-General Albert Ramdin sought restoration of constitutional order and called for economic sanctions designed to avoid harming the public, as well as financial and travel restrictions on certain officials.[1]
