No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaPompeo calls on Ortega to cease Nicaragua repression

Pompeo calls on Ortega to cease Nicaragua repression

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday called on the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to stop silencing its political opponents in the troubled Central American country.

“The United States urges the Ortega regime in Nicaragua to cease its repression and restore basic civil liberties and support free and fair elections,” Pompeo said in Costa Rica, on the second stop of a Latin American and Caribbean tour.

A small group of Nicaraguans demonstrated against Ortega outside the presidential palace in San José, where Pompeo had talks with Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado.

Pompeo said the US government had backed up its words with action against the leftist Nicaraguan regime by holding those who violate basic human rights accountable “as we did last year when we sanctioned many of Ortega’s top officials and their family members.”

“We’re also providing humanitarian assistance for Nicaraguans” as well as Venezuelans fleeing “tyranny” in their own country, he said.

Pompeo briefly met with Nicaraguan refugees who had fled a violent crackdown on the opposition following anti-government protests in 2018.

Participants at the meet-and-greet at the presidential mansion included Nicaraguan opposition leaders, former political prisoners and civil society leaders.

Alvarado pointed out that Costa Rica had received tens of thousands of Nicaraguans following the crisis and pleaded for assistance from the international community to help provide for them.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Top Court Bans President Chaves from 2026 Election Campaign

Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Thursday barred President Rodrigo Chaves from participating in the 2026 election campaign, ruling that he "illegitimately used" his...

Costa Rica Pushes USA to the Brink but Falls in Penalty Heartbreak

If you just caught the end of the USA vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup quarterfinal, you probably feel like you need another cup of...

Hondurans March to Mark 2009 Coup as Election Battle Heats Up

Thousands of government supporters marched Saturday in the capital of Honduras to commemorate the anniversary of the 2009 coup that ousted then-leftist President Manuel...

Costa Rica’s Cutris Mining Bill Threatens Massive Environmental Damage

Costa Rica’s government is pushing a controversial bill that could open the entire Cutris district in San Carlos—848 square kilometers—to open-pit gold mining. The...

Costa Rica Surf Film Festival Honors ‘Pura Vida Bodysurfing’ with Top Audience Award

Pura Vida Bodysurfing is an award-winning short film that strips surfing back to its essence—riding waves without a surfboard. Filmed across Costa Rica’s legendary...

Costa Rica and U.S. Strengthen Border Scans and Biometric Cooperation

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem met Wednesday with Honduran President Xiomara Castro to discuss security and migration, following her offer in Costa...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica