The federal government is suspending all direct aid to Nicaragua, citing what it calls 'the deteriorating human rights situation' in the Central American nation under President Daniel Ortega.
Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega speaks during the inauguration ceremony of a highway overpass in Managua, Nicaragua, Thursday, March 21, 2019. OTTAWA - The federal government is suspending all direct aid to Nicaragua, citing what it calls "the deteriorating human rights situation" in the Central American nation under President Daniel Ortega.
Ortega's government has cracked down violently on protests that began last April as demonstrations against cuts to the country's retirement system, but quickly turned to calls for the president to step down. The opposition has said more than 640 people were being held for political causes, although the government says the actual numbers are far smaller and it has released many prisoners in recent months.
In an email to The Canadian Press on Sunday, a spokeswoman for Global Affairs Canada confirms the government made the decision last summer. Brittany Fletcher says Ottawa will continue to support projects led by non-governmental organizations, with a focus on helping vulnerable groups.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ottawa cut off direct aid to Nicaragua last summer over human rights concernsPresident Daniel Ortega’s government has cracked down on protests that began last April as demonstrations against cuts to the retirement system, but turned to calls for him to step down
Read more »
Why Ottawa is Canada’s hottest property market right nowPhil Soper, president of Royal LePage, gives the lowdown on the spring real estate market, including what’s happening in the nation’s capital
Read more »
Three teens arrested after Ottawa stabbing sends another teen to hospitalThree 19-year-olds from Ottawa are facing multiple charges, including assault and conspiracy.
Read more »
Crews battle large fire in Ottawa's iconic Byward MarketOttawa Fire fighters battle a three-alarm blaze on William Street in the Byward Market.
Read more »
Bloc Quebecois tells Ottawa to stay out of debate over Quebec secularism billBloc said the debate concerns Quebec only, and Trudeau should not get involved
Read more »
Opinion: What Canada’s Soviet Union strategy can teach Ottawa about breaking the Chinese detenteIt’s been months since Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were detained in China, and how we handled the Soviet Union offers a model for how our strategy should shift
Read more »
Ottawa man donates his collection of 12,000 vinyl records to libraryAn Ottawa man is donating his 12,000 vinyl records to raise money for the city’s public libraries. He said it’s taken him 65 years to amass his collection.
Read more »
Ottawa proposing new measures to discourage vaping among youthThe measures include limiting the concentration of nicotine in e-cigarettes, putting restrictions on online sales and regulating vaping products to make it harder for youth to conceal them in schools
Read more »
Commons committee urges Ottawa to co-ordinate with NATO on question of Russia’s Arctic intentionsReport tabled Wednesday comes one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined an ambitious plan to increase his country’s presence in the region
Read more »