House Bill Would Sanction Nicaragua's Government for Human Rights Abuses

Republican Reps. Chris Smith of New Jersey and Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida, both members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced on Jan. 11 a bill that would impose economic sanctions on Nicaragua’s government for human rights violations, including the persecution of clergy and political dissidents and the forced exile of thousands of people.

The proposed Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act of 2024 also would sanction economic sectors that benefit the family of President Daniel Ortega; prohibit new U.S. investment in Nicaragua; mandate a coordinated diplomatic strategy to restrict investments and loans that benefit Nicaragua’s government; and review Nicaragua’s participation in the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, known as CAFTA-DR.

“The United States needs to step up and act quickly to implement all the tools at our disposal to bring an end to Ortega’s horrific abuses against innocent people of faith and political prisoners in Nicaragua,” Smith said.