Nicaraguan Congress Legalizes Prosecution of Exiles and Property Seizure

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Nicaragua’s National Assembly, under the control of the Sandinista party, has approved significant amendments to the criminal code, allowing the government to prosecute opponents in absentia and seize their assets. Previously a common practice, these actions now have legal backing.

President Daniel Ortega’s proposal was unanimously approved in the legislature, which is dominated by his party. The changes pose a direct threat to those opposing the government, especially individuals who have fled the country due to Ortega’s ongoing campaign against dissent.

Under the newly approved reforms, exiled opponents could face hefty fines, long prison sentences, and asset confiscation by the government. This move has raised alarms among critics. Nicaraguan lawyer Uriel Pineda, who was exiled last year and stripped of his citizenship, described the changes as a way for the Ortega administration to “legalize the arbitrary actions” it has been executing, such as property seizures.

Pineda emphasized that these reforms serve to reinforce a legal framework for repression, making it easier for the government to tighten its grip on dissent. Meanwhile, Sandinista lawmaker María Auxiliadora Martínez defended the reform as necessary for establishing “a coherent system of norms.”

Martínez claimed that the new laws would introduce revised criminal categories that would enhance the country’s legal structure. Another legislator, Edwin Castro, stated the measures empower the government to confiscate properties from both Nicaraguans and foreigners as a way to “compensate society for crimes committed.”

In a significant crackdown last year, the Ortega government exiled over 300 opposition figures, revoking their nationality. This was part of a broader effort to silence critical voices following widespread protests in 2018, which Ortega labeled as a failed coup backed by foreign influence. A large number of Nicaraguans have since sought refuge abroad to escape the oppressive environment.

The amendments introduce various new criminal provisions, notably including penalties for those who encourage, request, or facilitate economic sanctions against the government. This effectively criminalizes actions against the Ortega administration from both inside and outside the country.

In a separate report presented by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, the office reported that the Nicaraguan government is targeting not just those expressing dissent but also any individual or organization operating independently of state control. Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan expressed concern that these legal reforms will exacerbate the plight of the thousands of Nicaraguans living in exile.

Al-Kheetan cautioned that if adopted, the new law could further criminalize dissent, particularly for those already facing considerable challenges in exile. The changes extend beyond individuals to encompass businesses and organizations, increasing the potential for widespread repercussions.

Since 2018, the Nicaraguan government has shut down more than 5,000 organizations, with many of these being religious entities, reflecting its broader strategy to suppress independent institutions and voices.