Managua [Nicaragua], June 27 (ANI): More and more prominent opposition leaders, journalists and civil society as President Daniel Ortega’s administration has a vigilant political crackdown prior to the November elections. Members are fleeing from Nicaragua.

Last week, some of Ortega’s most influential critics sneaked abroad-convinced they would be detained if they remained. According to the Washington Post, mainstream journalists have decided to leave the country despite being stripped of their passports.

This situation arises after 16 opposition figures have been arrested and imprisoned in the last few months.

“They are immobilizing the whole country and imposing a state of horror on the country to eliminate political competition for the upcoming elections,” published a prominent Nicaraguan digital newspaper that fled the country earlier this month. Said Carlos Chamorro.

The Chamorro left after police attacked his home and his sister (presidential candidate) was arrested.

Journalists are under threat due to increasing pressure from the Nicaraguan government in recent weeks. According to the Washington Post, veteran journalist Miguel Mendoza was detained on June 21 when police broke into her home.

Prior to that, Nicaragua’s national police detained Miguel Mora Barberena, the fifth presidential candidate allegedly accused of committing anti-state acts. Mora is a presidential candidate, journalist, and owner of the currently closed 100% Noticias TV channel.

“Asylum was the last option to protect my life and freedom. The moment has come … It was painful to make this decision. I know that sadness overwhelms them, I did it for the tranquility of my family, “said Julio Lopez, another prominent journalist.

Former commander Luis Karion, who was forced into exile after reports of an imminent arrest, hopes that the kidnapped people will become political hostages to negotiate lifting sanctions with the United States, Ortega said. Stated.

The United States has become more candid about the crackdown on Ortega. This month, the Biden administration announced new sanctions against Ortega’s relatives and relatives, including his daughter Camila Antonia Ortega Murillo.

However, US actions to date have had little impact on Ortega’s crackdown. In recent months, the administration has passed several legislation allowing it to intervene in the activities of human rights groups and the media, according to the Washington Post.

The crackdown has sparked international criticism. Critics have accused Ortega of eroding democracy in Nicaragua with his wife and vice president Rosario Murillo.

Mexico and Argentina said Monday that they were “concerned about legal action by the Nicaraguan government” and recalled the ambassador to Nicaragua for talks. [they] Nicaragua’s ambassadors Gustavo Alonso Cabrera Rodriguez and Mateo Daniel Capitanic have been instructed to travel to the capital to discuss the alarming political legal action recently taken by the Nicaraguan government. Activists and Nicaraguan businessmen (including presidential candidates) are at risk. “

The two countries said they would remain vigilant about Nicaragua’s developments and continue to promote full respect for human rights, civil and political rights, and freedom of speech for all, regardless of nationality or occupation.

In addition, a recent report by Human Rights Watch urged the United Nations, Latin American democracies, and the United States to put more pressure on the administration to curb the crackdown on Ortega.

“The only word this man is trying to understand is that the international community has doubled diplomatic pressure, and as a result, a businessman who remains in power,” said Jose Miguel Bivanco, director of the Americas at Human Rights Watch. Is it possible to affect the? ” Split. (ANI)