Q24N — Historic, Europe abandons diplomacy and goes for the total suffocation of Nicaragua’s Ortega-Murillo regime: international criminal trial and the end of free trade.
Reports say that Europe has grown tired of lukewarm diplomacy and sterile statements. The European Parliament has achieved a consensus between left and right to launch a real offensive aimed at striking the regime of Nicaragua’s co-presidents, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, where it hurts most: its finances and its impunity.
Fueled by outrage over the death in custody of indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera and the ongoing crisis of political prisoners, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are moving decisively to activate the democratic clause and expel the country from the trade agreement, which would bury more than US$300 million in annual tariff-free exports.
The resolution denounces that in Nicaragua there persist arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, trials considered without guarantees, forced exile, denationalization, confiscation of property and other practices that, according to international reports cited by the MEPs, could constitute crimes against humanity.
The resolution calls for the immediate release of political prisoners Carlos Ramón Brenes Sánchez and Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto, sentenced to fifteen years in prison for alleged treason. It also demands the release of all those detained for political reasons, the annulment of sentences deemed arbitrary, and guarantees of access to family members, lawyers, and medical care.
One of the central points of the text is the case of Brooklyn Rivera. Members of the European Parliament are demanding an independent investigation into the death of the Indigenous leader, who remained missing for more than 32 months after his arrest and died in state custody in May 2026. They are also requesting the return of his remains to his family and a full investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Economist and opposition leader, Juan Sebastián Chamorro, believes the resolution passed by the European Parliament demonstrates that Nicaragua continues to occupy a prominent place on the international agenda and that there is a broad political consensus in Europe on the need to increase pressure against the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
“It is a very clear demonstration of the broad support for Nicaragua across the entire political spectrum of the European Parliament,” Chamorro stated, noting that the initiative was backed by center-right, liberal, social democratic, conservative, and green blocs.
According to Chamorro, a potential suspension would have economic consequences for Nicaragua, especially for export sectors that maintain preferential access to the European market.
“Eliminating the zero tariff would affect exports of coffee, peanuts, bananas, seafood, and sugar,” he warned, noting that Europe represents a market of approximately US$600 million annually for Nicaraguan exports.
Chamorro also warned of potential effects on foreign investment and international cooperation.
“There would be a greater outflow of foreign investment, and the already strained political dialogue with Nicaragua would be further damaged,” he stated.
This forceful economic and legal pressure, in addition to the continued pressure from the United States, may finally mark the beginning of the end for impunity in Nicaragua.