Bettina Muscheidt: Europe prepares a "firm" response to the expulsion of its Nicaraguan ambassador | International

Europe has clearly warned Nicaragua this Monday that it will not let the expulsion of its ambassador in Managua, Bettina Muscheidt, go by without further ado. The European Union is already consulting with all member countries "the form and scope" of the "firm and proportionate" reaction that will give what, according to the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, is one more step in the "erosion" of democracy undertaken by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.

In his opening speech for the Eurochamber sessions in Strasbourg, Metsola recalled that Managua's decision to expel Muscheidt, which was made on Saturday night, comes "only two weeks after the European Parliament called for a national dialogue inclusive to guarantee a peaceful and democratic solution to the social, political and human rights crisis” that Nicaragua is experiencing.

On September 15, the European Parliament approved with 538 votes in favor, 16 against and 28 abstentions a resolution condemning the "escalation of repression against the Catholic Church, opposition figures and civil society, human rights defenders , journalists, peasants, students and indigenous people in Nicaragua”. The text, which is not binding, also calls for the "immediate and unconditional" release of Bishop Rolando Álvarez, arrested "arbitrarily", and calls on the member countries of the EU and the United Nations Security Council to open a "formal investigation" of Nicaragua and its president, Daniel Ortega, through the International Criminal Court for "crimes against humanity."

“The Ortega-Murillo regime cannot continue isolating the country from the international community”, continued Metsola, who has assured that the institution he presides over “will always maintain a firm position in the face of the erosion of democratic structures” such as that carried out by the Government Nicaraguan. "We remain committed, along with like-minded partners, to restoring a rules-based order, in the interest of the Nicaraguan people," he added.

The expulsion of the European ambassador, whom Managua had declared persona non grata this week and given three days to leave the country, was accompanied by Nicaragua's decision to break diplomatic relations with the Netherlands. Both gestures have provoked a "firm condemnation" from Brussels, which has promised to respond shortly. In terms almost mirroring the statement issued on Sunday by the EU External Action Service (EEAS) led by the Spanish Josep Borrell, the spokesman for foreign policy of the European Commission, Peter Stano, has warned this Monday at a press conference that, "of course", Managua's gesture "is going to affect relations between the EU and Nicaragua, and between the members of the EU and Nicaragua."

“Not only do we regret, but we also condemn this unilateral and unjustified decision” that constitutes “a hostile act that will only lead to greater isolation of the Nicaraguan authorities and their regime”, he has limited. As he explained, the Twenty-seven are already in the middle of discussions about what response to give to Managua, although he did not want to indicate what possibilities are being considered, thus leaving a possible door open to a possible negotiated solution, despite the fact that Borrell has not hesitated in the past. of describing the regime led by Ortega and Murillo as a “dictatorship”

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