MANAGUA — Nicaragua’s government formally notified the Organization of American States on Thursday of its intent to withdraw from the regional body, citing “systemic interference in sovereign affairs” and accusing the OAS of serving as “an arm of U.S. foreign policy.” The notification triggers a two-year exit process under the OAS charter, though Managua has indicated it may accelerate the timeline and cease all participation by September.
President Daniel Ortega, in a nationally televised address, said Nicaragua would establish its own regional cooperation framework with “real sovereign nations” — widely interpreted as referring to a proposed alignment with China-aligned governments in the hemisphere. The announcement followed the OAS secretary-general’s call for Nicaragua to release political prisoners, which Ortega’s government rejected as a precondition for any dialogue.
The Nicaraguan National Assembly simultaneously passed legislation establishing new restrictions on international NGOs operating in the country, requiring them to re-register with the Interior Ministry and submit to annual audits. The United States called the OAS withdrawal “a self-inflicted isolation” and said it would refer the human rights situation to the UN Human Rights Council. Costa Rica and Panama expressed concern over the implications for regional trade agreements.
Written by Diego Vargas