Blinken condemns actions of authoritarian regimes in Latin America 1:42
(CNN Spanish) --
The European Union declared the head of the Nicaraguan Mission, Zoila Müller,
persona
non grata
, at the initiative of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a press release from the European Council reported on Monday .
He added that it is a reciprocal response to the “unjustified” decision of the Nicaraguan government to declare
European Union ambassador Bettina Muscheidt persona
non grata on September 28.
National media reported that the Nicaraguan government notified the diplomat of this decision for what they considered "interference and disrespect for national sovereignty" on the part of the Union.
This occurred after the bloc's delegation demanded the release of detained opponents and "return the sovereignty of Nicaragua to the Nicaraguan people."
The European Union's spokesman for foreign affairs, Peter Stano, had referred to the matter on his Twitter account on October 2.
"The European Union condemns the expulsion of its ambassador, a unilateral decision, without justification. This step, and a similar action against the Netherlands, will affect relations (European Union-Nicaragua) and further isolate the regime in Managua. The US will respond in a firm and proportionate manner," he wrote.
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The tense relations between Nicaragua and the European Union
In its statement on Monday, the European Council reaffirmed its continued commitment to the Nicaraguan people and "to the defense of democracy, the rule of law and human rights."
"The current political crisis in Nicaragua must be resolved through a genuine dialogue between the government and the opposition," the statement added, reiterating that "the EU remains open to dialogue with Nicaragua, provided that this dialogue is carried out in a respectful."
Relations between Nicaragua and the European Union have remained tense since the beginning of the sociopolitical crisis in 2018, and the bloc's calls to release opponents, restore democratic institutions and respect human rights.
The European Union has imposed sanctions on government officials and relatives of President Daniel Ortega for allegations of human rights violations, which have been considered by Nicaragua as acts of interference.