Nicaragua accuses Chile of interference over Ortega's election remarks

Nicaragua's government has sharply criticized Chile, labeling its concerns about President Daniel Ortega's comments on elections as "interference." Santiago had expressed "deep concern" over Ortega's assertion that "elections will not happen again" in Nicaragua, a statement made during the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution.

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We acknowledge the Note issued by the Chancellery of the Republic of Chile, your comments that appear to be interference in our sovereign and dignified political, legal, and institutional processes.

Nicaragua's Foreign Ministry responded by stating that Chile's comments on its "sovereign and dignified political, legal, and institutional processes" were unwelcome. The ministry emphasized the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, asserting Nicaragua's right to make its own decisions. The statement concluded with a "fraternal embrace" to the people of Chile.

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We know that the utmost respect for the principles of non-interference and non-intervention corresponds, based on the considerations that States must have for their own decisions.

Chile, in its message, reiterated its commitment to democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms in the Americas. It stressed that free, periodic, and transparent elections are a cornerstone of representative democracy, as outlined in the Inter-American Democratic Charter. Chile urged Nicaragua to uphold these principles and guarantee its citizens' right to freely elect their authorities.

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Here (in Nicaragua) there will not be elections again so that they (the opposition) try to trap the government, trap power through them.

Ortega, who has been in power since 2007, made the controversial remark on July 19. The following day, the president of Nicaragua's National Assembly, Gustavo Porras, suggested that elections would indeed take place but within a revised constitutional framework designed to shield them from foreign interference and "traitors to the homeland."

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The celebration of free, periodic, and transparent elections constitutes an essential element of representative democracy, in accordance with the Charter of Democratic Community.