Arrest of Journalist triggers Nicaragua crackdown on Ortega

Americas: Nicaragua police arrested journalist Miguel Mora late Sunday, the fifth opposition figure to hope to challenge President Daniel Ortega in the November election in the past 3 weeks.

Police officers stated in a statement that Mora, 57, was being held for “carrying out acts that undermine Nicaragua’s independence and self-determination.”

Mora was arrested earlier in December 2018 and convicted of terrorism. He was released from prison in June 2019 under amnesty and dedicated himself to party politics.

Nicaragua has detained 14 political opponents and five presidential candidates over the past few weeks in a massive crackdown that has drawn international criticism from governments and human rights groups.

Ortega, who wants to run for re-election for a third constant term to extend his 14 years in service, returned to government in 2007 after ruling the nation in the 1980s.

The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) adopted a resolution this month to unequivocally denounce the arrest, harassment and arbitrary constraints on presidential candidates, political parties and independent media, and to condemn the immediate release of presidential candidates and all political members.

U.S. President Joe Biden’s government has imposed sanctions on the daughter of Ortega and three of the Nicaraguan leader’s allies, saying he is prepared to review “trade-related activities” with the country if the forthcoming polls are not free and fair.