With blue and white flags, dozens of Nicaraguans protested in Washington this Sunday (7) to demand that the results of the elections in Nicaragua, in which the current president, Daniel Ortega, is seeking reelection, not be recognized. The demonstrators began the march in front of the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS), in the American capital, and headed towards the Nicaraguan embassy.
During the protests, protesters raised an enormous blue and white Nicaraguan flag, which has become a symbol of opposition to Ortega and contrasts with the red and black colors of the flags of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), the party of the head of State. Participants shouted slogans like “Ortega, listen, we’re still fighting” and “Long live Nicaragua free”. Large white banners with black letters were displayed on which different messages could be read, such as “Nicaragua does not surrender”, “Freedom for political prisoners” and “Enough! Enough of the farce of this electoral circus”.
Among those taking part in the march was Berta Valle, wife of Felix Madariaga, an academic and activist who was arrested on June 8 after announcing his candidacy for the presidential election. The protest in Washington is just one of 26 that have been called in cities by opposition groups like Blue and White National Unity to urge the world not to recognize the election results, considering the process a farce whose sole purpose would be to reelect Ortega.
Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada said Sunday that the Ortega government is not afraid that the international community will ignore the results and assured that it will not be intimidated. Prior to the elections, Nicaraguan authorities arrested more than 30 opposition leaders, including presidential candidates Cristiana Chamorro, Arturo Cruz, Félix Maradiaga, Juan Sebastián Chamorro, Miguel Mora, Medardo Mairena and Noel Vidaurre.
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