Sen. Cruz Applauds U.S. Action Taken Against Ortega Regime

HOUSTON, Texas – Today, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to target and hold accountable three Nicaraguan individuals for their complicity in human rights violations.

“The violence in Nicaragua and the abuses of the Ortega regime are only getting worse,” Sen. Cruz said. “The regime’s security forces and police are putting snipers on roofs, shooting protesters, and burning down houses to suppress the opposition. This viciousness also directly undermines American interests by sowing instability throughout the region. I have previously called on the Trump Administration to sanction the leaders complicit in these abuses under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, including Francisco Lopez, the VP of ALBANISA, and Francisco Diaz, the National Police Commissioner. Today, I commend the Administration for imposing sanctions on these individuals, as well as Fidel Moreno, who funds Sandinista violence. Much more work will need to be done to confront Ortega and his thugocracy.”

Sen Cruz and his colleagues called on President Trump and his Administration in 2017 and 2018 to impose sanctions on Nicaraguan human rights abusers under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.

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