Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has accused the European Union (EU) of undermining the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) by pressuring it to adopt a statement in support of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. Ortega made these remarks at an event commemorating the 44th anniversary of the Sandinista victory in Nicaragua. He expressed his disappointment with the recent EU-CELAC summit in Brussels, which released a statement expressing concern about the conflict in Ukraine, despite objections from Nicaragua.
Ortega criticized the EU for attempting to influence Nicaragua’s domestic affairs and claimed that his government did not endorse the summit’s declaration. He accused the EU of trying to control Nicaragua in line with the interests of the United States. To Ortega, the EU’s actions were not in line with the principles of consensus that guide CELAC’s decision-making process. He further argued that the EU’s attempt to include a line blaming Russia for the turmoil in Ukraine was rejected by most CELAC countries.
While the EU prioritized its focus on Ukraine, Ortega stated that efforts to address Western aggression and sanctions against Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua were undermined. The proposed inclusion of a statement condemning the use of cluster munitions by Ukraine, which are prohibited in the EU, also failed to gain support. Ortega expressed his dissatisfaction with these omissions from the summit’s declaration.
During the event, Ortega also took the opportunity to praise the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed during the NATO intervention in Libya in 2011. Ortega highlighted Gaddafi’s solidarity with Nicaragua and his efforts to unite Arab peoples. He lamented the destruction caused by NATO’s intervention in Libya, expressing his admiration for Gaddafi and his belief in the importance of unity among Arab nations.
Ortega’s strong critique of the EU’s actions at the EU-CELAC summit reflects his commitment to protecting Nicaragua’s sovereignty and standing up against what he perceives as external interference. By voicing his objections and publicly distancing Nicaragua from the summit’s declaration, Ortega aims to assert his country’s independence and resistance to outside pressure.
As Nicaragua’s leader, Ortega’s comments carry weight within CELAC and among other Latin American and Caribbean nations. His criticism of the EU and his emphasis on consensus-based decision-making demonstrate his commitment to preserving the principles and values of the regional bloc. By expanding upon his remarks, Ortega seeks to communicate his concerns to a wider audience and garner support for his position.
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