Ortega’s opponents abroad targeted by Nicaragua

The report on countries’ human rights practices in 2023, released by the United States Department of State, highlighted Nicaragua’s use of transnational repression under the regime of dictator Daniel Ortega to persecute opponents residing outside the country. The document pointed out actions against individuals located in other countries, with a focus on neighboring countries like Costa Rica. Exiles in Costa Rica have alleged harassment and political oppression by paramilitary units and Ortega’s supporters who cross the border to target them, as well as by intelligence officers assigned to the Nicaraguan embassy in Costa Rica.

An example of transnational repression put into practice by the Nicaraguan regime is the attack on opponent Joao Maldonado and his wife, Nadia Robleto, in January of this year. They were seriously injured after being shot at by armed men on motorcycles in Costa Rica. Maldonado had already reported death threats from members of the Nicaraguan regime due to his criticism of the dictator. There are suspicions of Nicaragua having cells within Costa Rica to persecute Sandinista dissidents.

Opposition leader Juan Sebastián Chamorro also highlighted the surveillance against opposition leaders and activists, especially those reporting human rights violations in Nicaragua, on Costa Rican territory. The regime has been accused of using threats, harassment, surveillance, coercion, and other methods against family members of opponents abroad to force their return to the country. Additionally, the Nicaraguan regime has misused Interpol’s red alerts for political purposes and controlled the mobility of citizens abroad, denying them consular services and access to passports.

Chamorro noted that transnational repression is a common practice in authoritarian countries and cited similarities with techniques used in countries like Russia and Iran. The Ortega regime denied the accusations and accused the US of violating human rights and committing crimes against Nicaragua. The report sheds light on the extent of transnational repression carried out by the regime and its impact on opponents abroad, highlighting the need for international attention and action.