United States: The United States government has imposed sanctions on three Nicaraguan judges for taking away the citizenship of more than 300 political dissidents and activists. The move comes as the Nicaraguan government is being accused of suppressing opposition.

In a press release, US Secretary of State Mr. Antony Blinken said that the judges had helped facilitate “government repression” and the removal of the citizenship of more than 300 Nicaraguans.

“The United States is taking further action to hold accountable perpetrators of the Nicaraguan regime’s repressive actions,” Mr. Blinken remarked in a press statement.

“We will continue to use available diplomatic and economic tools to promote accountability for the Ortega-Murillo regime’s abuses,” the Secretary of State added.

The Nicaraguan President Mr. Daniel Ortega and Vice President Mr. Rosario Murillo have been accused by Amnesty International and the United Nations of using the judiciary to target political opponents.

In February 2022, the government released 222 political prisoners and then revoked their citizenship. Lawmakers voted to remove their citizenship, which could have made them stateless. A week later, 94 dissidents in exile also had their citizenship revoked.

The US has imposed sanctions on the Nicaraguan judges, Ms. Nadia Camila Tardencilla Rodriguez, Mr. Ernesto Leonel Rodriguez Mejia, and Mr. Octavio Ernesto Rothschuh Andino, holding them directly responsible for the controversial decision that left many individuals stateless.

Recently, an Amnesty International report has also shown that the Ortega government has been using various means, such as excessive use of force, unjust criminalization of activists and dissidents, attacks on civil society, and forced exile, to consolidate power.

WORLD ROUNDUP: BTS star J-Hope set to enlist in mandatory South Korean military service