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The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) has financed water projects, housing, sustainable energy, reforestation, roads and bridges in Nicaragua. The proposed new sanctions would cut off these loans. (Photo: CABEI)

Tell Congress to oppose new sanctions on Nicaragua!

On June 8, 2023, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced legislation that would extend the U.S. government’s authority to impose sanctions on Nicaragua through December 31, 2028! The bill is now in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with no vote taken yet – so there is time for us to take action together!

Senate Bill 1881, the ill-named “Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act of 2023” sponsored by Senators Kaine and Rubio, will harm the Nicaraguan people and the rest of Central America and exacerbate the migration crisis on our southern border.

House Bill 6954, the ill-named “Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act of 2023” co-sponsored by Congress members Christopher Smith and Maria Salazar, will harm the Nicaraguan people and the rest of Central America and exacerbate the migration crisis on our southern border.

The new sanctions seek to restrict loans for economic development from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) which funds roads, water and energy projects, and housing in the country. The old sanctions stopped most loans from the IMF, World Bank and the IDB. Now the U.S. wants to stop the CABEI loans as well! All these restrictions should be lifted!

In addition to writing to your senators, please consider calling members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee where this bill has been sent! Here is a list of Committee members: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/about/membership. Enough opposition at the committee level can stop the bill from going to the Senate floor. The Capitol switchboard number is: (202) 224-3121.

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For more background material:

Read the recent edition of our NicaNotes Newsletter, “New Sanctions Could Impoverish and Destabilize Nicaragua”

Senate representatives

Subject: Urgent appeal to oppose U.S. sanctions on Nicaragua

Message:

Dear Senator [name], I am writing to urge you to oppose the sanctions proposed against Nicaragua by Senators Marco Rubio and Tim Kaine. These sanctions, if implemented, would have devastating consequences for the people of Nicaragua and would further deteriorate the already strained relationship between our two nations. The current sanctions imposed on Nicaragua are reminiscent of the aggression witnessed in the 1980s when the Reagan Administration was involved in illicit activities, including the sale of cocaine and weapons to fund terrorists in Nicaragua. These actions resulted in the suffering of thousands of Nicaraguans and left the country impoverished and unstable. It is disheartening to see history repeating itself with the resumption of interventionist policies under the Trump and Biden administrations. Contrary to the negative portrayal often presented, Nicaragua has made significant strides in improving the lives of its citizens. The government has restored free healthcare, constructed hospitals and clinics and revitalized the country’s educational system. These social programs have alleviated poverty, reduced hunger and fostered economic growth. It’s important to recognize and support these achievements rather than undermine them with sanctions. The proposed sanctions, if enacted, would severely impact US-Nicaragua trade relations. Attempts to suspend Nicaragua's participation in the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) would be detrimental to both economies. Blocking imports of sugar, gold and now coffee and beef from Nicaragua would not only harm US consumers but also undermine the sustainable agricultural practices and climate-friendly production methods employed by Nicaraguan farmers. (Read more: bit.ly/how-sanctions-violate-cafta) Furthermore, the new sanctions seek to restrict loans for economic development and infringe upon the property rights of US citizens and residents investing in Nicaragua. These measures would hinder the growth of the Nicaraguan economy, deprive individuals of their investments and undermine the potential for mutually beneficial relationships between our two countries (see factsheet: bit.ly/s1881-factsheet) The sanctions on Nicaragua serve no meaningful purpose and only perpetuate hardship and suffering among the population. Rather than isolating Nicaragua, we should engage in constructive dialogue, promote diplomacy and support the Nicaraguan government’s substantial efforts to improve human rights and economic development in the country. I implore you to oppose the new and existing sanctions on Nicaragua. These sanctions are illegal under the UN Charter and violate the Geneva Conventions against collective punishment of a population. Let us foster a relationship of mutual respect and cooperation, ensuring the wellbeing of both Nicaraguans and U.S. Americans. Sincerely, [Your name]

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House representatives

Subject: Hundreds of legal experts ask President Biden to drop sanctions

Message:

Dear Representative [name],

I am writing to share an important development regarding unilateral economic sanctions imposed by the US government. A large group of legal scholars is urging President Biden to eliminate our country’s use of economic sanctions because their “collective impact on civilians can be just as indiscriminate, punitive, and deadly” as conventional warfare. The 38 legal organizations and 200 legal scholars say that the imposition of such collective punishment on entire populations violates the Geneva Conventions. These measures “hinder access to essential goods like food, fuel and medicine, and increase poverty, hunger, disease and even death rates, especially among children. Such conditions in turn often drive mass migration, as in the recent cases of Cuba and Venezuela.”

I urge you to read their letter (see here: bit.ly/legal-experts-to-biden-sanctions) and to help end our country’s use of these unjust and illegal economic sanctions. I also urge you to vote NO on the proposed additional sanctions on Nicaragua, H.R.6954 (see factsheet: bit.ly/hr6954-factsheet)

As the legal scholars state in their letter, “seventy-five years after the Geneva Conventions, collective punishment must end.”

I kindly request that John Lynch and Juan Lopez bring this to Congressman Costa’s attention.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Tell Congress to oppose new sanctions on Nicaragua!

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Tell Congress to oppose new sanctions on Nicaragua!

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