Nicaragua Withdraws from OAS, Denounces Yankee Imperialism

On April 24 Nicaragua issued an official statement announcing the expulsion of the Organization of American States and the closure of OAS representative offices. The statement angrily denounced “Yankee imperialism,” condemned the OAS for degenerating into a “diabolical instrument of evil” and announced the complete withdrawal from the OAS, effective immediately.

In fact, Nicaragua formally requested withdrawal from the OAS in November 2021; according to regulations, full withdrawal from the organization is a two-year process. Nicaragua's exit is in advance of what is permitted by the regulations.

Kawaschun News, a left-wing Bolivian news source, published the full transcript of the announcement. From the outset of the statement, the Nicaraguan government severely denounced the long-term interference for the U.S. government in Nicaragua’s internal affairs and condemned the U.S. for wielding the OAS as a “political tool” to interfere in the affairs of other countries.

The statement pointed out that “The OAS was never truly representative of an alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean sovereign states.” Rather, it has been an “instrument of Yankee imperialism.” The U.S. wields this tool to violate rights and independence, to support and promote interventions and invasions and to legitimize various forms and modes of coups d’état.

“Yankee imperialism” is a political term used by Latin American countries when describing the struggle against U.S. interference in their economic and political affairs. “Yankee” is a reference to the U.S.

The statement highlighted that U.S. designs on Nicaragua did not prevail. The Nicaraguan government had formally decided to withdraw from the OAS last November. Now, the Nicaraguan government has officially announced, “From this date on we cease to be part of all the deceitful mechanisms of this monstrosity, be it the Permanent Council, Inter-American Commission, Meeting of Consultation or Summit of the Americas.

“Neither will this infamous organism, consequently, have offices in our country. Its local branch is now closed.”

“Nicaragua is not a colony of anyone,” the statement emphasized one last time. It also recognized the heroic struggles of Cuba and Venezuela, attacked the persistent arrogance of “Yankee imperialism,” and said the government and people of Nicaragua will continue to fight for justice, peoples’ rights, sovereignty, dignity and peace.

The OAS immediately responded to this declaration of withdrawal. According to an April 25 Reuters report, the OAS issued a statement criticizing Nicaragua for withdrawing before the process was completed, referring to it as “a contravention of international norms.”

The statement also referred to the closure of the OAS offices by Nicaraguan officials in the country's capital, Managua, as “an illegal occupation” and warned that Nicaragua may face international repercussions.

The U.S. and the EU charged that the Nicaraguan presidential election last November was illegitimate. They urged the current president, Daniel Ortega, to hold new elections as soon as possible and to free prisoners.

Meanwhile, countries such as Venezuela and organizations such as the Bolivarian Alliance of the Americas expressed support for Nicaragua's decision. Venezuela issued a statement on April 24, supporting the withdrawal from the OAS as a “firm, legitimate and courageous decision.” That same day, the executive secretary of ALBA issued a statement expressing support for sovereign Nicaragua's decision to withdraw from the OAS.

ALBA is an economic and strategic alliance in Latin America. Anti-American strongman and former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez facilitated its establishment. Its purpose was to confront the U.S.-created and led Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement.

At present, the ALBA alliance has nine member states, including Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Bolivia.

Nicaragua has a population of around 6.62 million people and is Central America’s largest country by total area. It has an advantageous geographical location — with the Caribbean Sea to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south and a territory of about 130,000 square kilometers (approximately 50,193 square miles). It has picturesque scenery, a soothing environment and is rich in natural resources. Nicaragua was previously honored as “the Granary of Central America.”

However, for a long time, Nicaragua and China had not officially established diplomatic relations. This changed in December 2021, when China and Nicaragua had a breakthrough in diplomatic relations.

On Dec. 9, Nicaragua issued a statement recognizing that there is only one China, that the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents all of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. Immediately afterward, the government of Nicaragua cut off diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Subsequently, on Jan. 10, 2022, the governments of China government and the Republic of Nicaragua signed the “Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Promoting the Construction of Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road,” adding Nicaragua as a new member to the Belt and Road community. The cooperation and exchangesbetween China and Nicaragua have reached new heights.