Senators Seek More Sanctions on Nicaragua

Four senators last week urged President Joe Biden to impose additional sanctions on Nicaragua for that country's crackdown on religious freedom, including the recent arrest of 13 Christian pastors.

In a March 14 letter led by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and co-signed by Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Katie Britt of Alabama, the lawmakers said that while the Biden administration “has employed some targeted sanctions” against Nicaragua, “there is much more that must be done to hold” Managua accountable.

The letter came the same day the U.S. government announced new export controls against Nicaragua for human rights violations and for supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (see 2403140031).

A bipartisan group of nine senators sent a letter in late February urging the administration to consider taking additional steps, including economic restrictions, to pressure Nicaragua to end its repression (see 2403010076).