(10 Jun 2021) Nicaraguan opposition leaders joined Wednesday to denounce moves by President Daniel Ortega's government to arrest four potential presidential challengers in the space of a week.
The opposition labelled the arrests "absurd", while the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions on Ortega's daughter and high ranking officials.
"The regime has taken the absurd and unsustainable decision to threaten, imprison and criminally prosecute the visible political leadership within the opposition," said Kitty Monterrey, president of the Citizens For Freedom party.
Walmaro Gutiérrez, a congressman representing Ortega's Sandinista party, said Wednesday third parties should not interfere in Nicaraguan affairs.
Presidential pre-candidate Félix Maradiaga was arrested Tuesday after being called to the attorney general's office to provide a statement on an investigation for alleged crimes against the government.
Maradiaga aspired to be the candidate for the opposition Blue and White National Unity coalition.
Later Tuesday, police announced the arrest of Juan Sebastián Chamorro, another pre-candidate and former director of the opposition coalition Civic Alliance.
Last week, authorities detained Cristiana Chamorro, a cousin of Juan Sebastián Chamorro, and Arturo Cruz Sequeira, a former ambassador to the United States.
Cruz Sequeira was arrested Saturday under a controversial "treason" law passed in December.
Presidential elections will be held on November 7, in which Ortega is seeking a fourth consecutive term as paresident.
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