Nicaragua: agony of democracy

Near the first anniversary of the popular uprising that was drowned in the blood by the government of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua, repression still rages and the dialogue that accompanies the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Vatican is in distress.

Democracy is dying in the land of lakes and volcanoes, and with it, independent journalism is also disappearing.

This week, at the end of its semi-annual meeting in Colombia, the Inter-American Press Association (SIP) asked the government of Managua the immediate release of journalists Miguel Mora and Lucía Pinedaimprisoned since December without due process and who, according to the testimony of MEPs, are subjected to inhuman treatment.

The case of Mora, director of the closed 100% News channel of Managua, is particularly sensitive. A few weeks before his arrest, he received the Press Freedom Grand Prize at the 74th SIP General Assembly in Salta on behalf of independent journalism in Nicaragua.

Pineda, in turn, is the only female journalist imprisoned in the Western Hemisphere.

IAPA also rejected impunity in the murder of journalist Ángel Gahona, which took place a year ago, and whose investigation was a montage designed to conceal those responsible. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has granted conservatory measures to Gahona's wife because of threats received for denouncing impunity.

Since April 2018, more than 700 attacks have been perpetrated against the practice of journalism., the majority committed by the national police, crowds and armed civilians adepts of Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo. This persecution forced 66 journalists to seek refuge in exileas confirmed by Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in her message to SIP.

Last Saturday, a few hours after announcing the first agreements in the dialogue between the government and the Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy, a supporter of Ortega shot and fired a demonstration of violence. Opposition with three wounded. On Monday, the government also failed to respect the agreement that would release the customs for the printing of newspapers La Prensa and El Nuevo Diario.

It is clear that the Nicaraguan government uses dialogue as a delaying tactic, without giving an inch of space to the opposition. In the area of ​​justice, he insists that crimes committed since April 2018 may be the subject of an investigation by the police, one of the attackers, or the police. 39; National Assembly, totally controlled by men of Ortega and his wife.

The regime also rejects the inclusion of the IACHR and the United Nations as guarantors of peace agreements. Both monitoring bodies were expelled from the country last year after accusing government forces of crimes against humanity.

Given this situation, when the possibilities for the rescue of democracy are reduced, the international community is obliged to stand firm against the Nicaraguan people who have sacrificed so much for their final liberation.

* This editorial is published in the media across the continent, in an agreement that adds Infobae, convened by the Association of the Inter-American Press.