Mauricio Díaz, former Nicaraguan ambassador before Parliament and candidate for Mayor of Managua, was arrested by police officers loyal to dictator Daniel Ortega on his way home. He became the 32nd detainee since May. María Asunción Moreno and former “Contra” leader Luis Fley, both opposition candidates, left Nicaragua for security reasons.
Díaz was intercepted by police patrols when he was returning from a meeting at the Public Ministry. They beat his son and a lawyer that was accompanying him at the time, taking him away to an unknown destination. Security forces did not offer any evidence, using the Law for the Defense of the Rights of the People to Independence, Sovereignty and Self-determination for Peace as justification.
The Dictator’s actions seek to undermine the opposition in order to win reelection on November 7th. These elections do not have legitimacy of origin or exercise.
Nicaraguan authorities have consistently arrested members of the opposition for alleged treason, including Cristiana Chamorro, Arturo Cruz, Félix Maradiaga, Juan Sebastián Chamorro, Miguel Mora, Medardo Mairena, and Noel Vidaurre. They have also apprehended a former chancellor; two former vice-chancellors; two historic former leaders of the dissident Sandinista guerrillas; a business leader, a banker; a former first lady; five opposition leaders; two student leaders; two leaders of the farmers; a lawyer and human rights defender; a political scientist and specialist in political and electoral systems; a journalist; a commentator; two former NGO workers and Cristiana Chamorro’s driver.
The rule of law is not respected in Nicaragua. Its dictator controls his population through violence and fear. It is a dying state besieged by a dictator seeking his fifth term, fourth in a row, and second with his wife, Rosario Murillo, as Vice President. Libertad y Progreso demands freedom for all opponents and the restoration of democracy and human rights in Nicaragua.
