WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), released the following statement after President Trump signed into law the Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act (H.R. 1918), a package of two bills Cassidy cosponsored.
“This legislation supports the people of Nicaragua and puts the corrupt and oppressive Ortega regime on notice,” said Dr. Cassidy. “By requiring sanctions and cutting off resources to the Nicaraguan government, we can help the Nicaraguan people achieve a freer, more democratic society where human rights are protected.”
The Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act (S. 2265) directs the United States to oppose international loans to the government of Nicaragua until the U.S. State Department can certify effective steps are being taken to hold free and fair elections, strengthen the rule of law, combat corruption, and protect the fundamental freedoms for all people of Nicaragua.
The Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act (S. 3233) requires the imposition of sanctions on Nicaraguan government officials responsible for the deaths of protestors, human rights violations and acts of corruption. It calls for a negotiated political solution to Nicaragua’s crisis, including the commitment to early elections, and requires reporting on the involvement of Nicaraguan government officials in corruption and human rights abuses.
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