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Nicaragua cancels work permits of six foreign NGOs, including Oxfam

17 August 2021, MVT 10:52
(FILES) In this file photo taken on February 17, 2018 'Oxfam' signage is pictured outside a high street branch of an Oxfam charity shop in south London. - Nicaragua cancelled six US and European NGO's permits, including Oxfam's, on August 16, 2021, days after the government of Daniel Ortega was sanctioned for the detention of some 30 opponents -- Photo: Justin TALLIS / AFP)
17 August 2021, MVT 10:52

Nicaragua on Monday canceled operating permits for six NGOs from the United States and Europe, just days after President Daniel Ortega's government was sanctioned for arresting prominent political opponents.

Oxfam, as well as the US-based National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute, are among the groups affected, according to the official government gazette.

Charities from Spain, Denmark and Sweden also had their operating permits revoked.

The interior ministry said these charities have not given a "detailed itemized breakdown" of the origin of the donations and who the final beneficiaries are.

The goods and assets of these NGOs will now be sold off or become government property.

The NGOs, several of which have been in Nicaragua for years, worked on issues such as human rights, the environment, poverty alleviation, health and education.

With three months to go before the country's elections, Nicaragua's government has detained 33 prominent opposition figures that they accused of treason.

Among them are seven potential candidates who could run against Ortega, 75, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term.

The former guerrilla, who also ruled the country from 1979-1990, took office as president in 2007 as part of the left-wing Sandinista National Liberation Front.

His government faces US and European sanctions and has been accused of humans rights violations and the repression of opposition figures since anti-government protests in 2018.

Ortega accuses the opposition of trying to overthrow him with the support of Washington.

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