Nicaragua: Nicaragua has stripped of citizenship 94 political opponents, including prominent writers, activists, and journalists.

Appeals Court Justice Ernesto Rodriguez Mejia shared in a statement that the 94 people were labelled “traitors” and would have their properties confiscated.

Mr. Rodriguez claimed those on the list, including rights activist Ms. Vilma Nunez, former Sandinista rebel commander Mr. Luis Carrión, and journalist Mr. Carlos Fernando Chamorro, were guilty of “spreading false news” and “conspiracy to undermine national integrity.”

Most of those included in the list left Nicaragua when President Mr. Daniel Ortega began arresting opponents in 2021, and Mr. Mejia stated that they had been declared “fugitives.” There was no mention of what might happen to those named who are still in Nicaragua.

According to renowned analysts, legal experts, and human rights groups, the move violates international law and is unprecedented in terms of scale and impact.

Mr. Alvaro Navarro, a journalist stripped of his nationality, posted on Twitter that “I am Nicaraguan by the grace of God. If they think they’re going to bring me to my knees, they are tangled. Long live Nicaragua.”

The move comes days after Mr. Ortega freed 222 political prisoners and put them on flights to the United States.

Earlier, during the reelection in November 2021, Nicaraguan authorities arrested seven potential opposition presidential candidates to clear the field. The government has also closed hundreds of non-governmental groups, which Mr. Ortega accused of taking foreign funding and using it to destabilise his government.

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