The political crisis in Nicaragua has drawn renewed action from the United States, which has sanctioned Vice Minister of the Interior, Luis Roberto Cañas Novoa, over alleged rights abuses.
In a statement released on Saturday, Marco Rubio said the designation was made under Section 7031(c), a policy that prohibits entry into the United States for individuals found responsible for significant human rights violations, as well as their immediate family members.
The move was announced as Nicaragua marked the anniversary of the April 2018 protests, when large-scale demonstrations erupted against the government of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo.
According to the United States, the protests were met with a violent response from security forces, leaving more than 325 people dead during the unrest.
Washington has consistently accused Nicaraguan authorities of repression, corruption, and systemic human rights abuses in the years following the demonstrations.
Rubio said the latest action reflects the United States’ commitment to holding accountable individuals allegedly involved in such violations, while also supporting calls for democratic governance in Nicaragua.
The Nicaraguan government has repeatedly rejected these accusations, insisting they amount to foreign interference in its internal affairs.
The latest sanctions add to a growing list of measures imposed by the United States on officials within President Ortega’s administration, as diplomatic tensions between both countries continue over governance and human rights concerns.
