Nicaragua’s parliament on Monday approved a law that seeks to nullify foreign sanctions issued against President Daniel Ortega’s vice president and wife Rosario Murillo, several of their children and some 50 high-ranking state officials.
The legislation, although unable to curb the impact of sanctions outside the country, aims to nullify their reach within Nicaragua by forcing local banks and other institutions to ignore them.
It was unanimously approved by all 91 pro-government deputies in the Central American nation’s ruling Sandinista Front-dominated parliament after Ortega sent the bill to parliament last week.
Walmaro Gutierrez, a deputy from Ortega’s Sandinista party who has been sanctioned by the United States since 2020, said the law enshrines the country’s sovereignty and independence.
“We are tired of having the sword of Damocles always hanging over us or a boot always pressing against our neck,” he said.
The law will become effective once it is published in the official gazette, which could happen within days.
