The global leadership of Liberal International (LI) is unanimous in denouncing the deadly force unleashed by the government of Daniel Ortega, leader of the Socialist International member party Sandinista National Liberation Front (known by its Spanish acronym FSLN), which saw scores of protesters in Nicaragua killed and injured as they rallied against social security reforms over the past weekend. The LI Bureau has issued the following statement:

“Any government that so recklessly and callously sanctions the use of lethal force against its people gambles with losing legitimacy not only in the eyes of its citizens but the international community. Daniel Ortega rode to power on a wave of liberation but today he presides over a fractured, repressive regime that does not flinch in crushing dissent and suppressing opposition. Journalists, human rights activists, and civil society organisations agree with us that President Ortega and the FSLN’s continuous violations of the rights of Nicaraguans must stop”.

The LI President, Dr. Juli Minoves, has written to his counterpart George Papandreou, President of Socialist International, with an offer to draft a common strategy to confront the the Ortega regime. In working with Socialist International, Liberal International is willing to help Nicaragua find a liberal-democratic path.

Dr Minoves announced this morning: “I have written to SI President Papandreou and my message was clear: ‘Work with us to engage in a dialogue with President Ortega in order to place Nicaragua on a path to a genuine democracy underpinned by liberal-democratic values and the rule of law.’

“To President Ortega and his wife, vice president Rosario Murillo, the international community urges you to step back from a political abyss. Cease these senseless attacks by the security forces and let us build a strong, democratic, and tolerant Nicaragua.”

ENDS.