The U.S. is progressing towards expelling Nicaragua from CAFTA due to its unjust regime under Ortega, who is aligned with hostile nations. This decision has broad support within the U.S. government. While difficult, the economic impact could destabilize Ortega’s regime, as it would remove essential trade benefits. The discourse emphasizes human rights concerns in U.S. trade policy in the region.
Recent talks indicate that the U.S. is moving towards expelling Nicaragua from the CAFTA trade agreement due to its oppressive regime. Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. special envoy to the Americas, highlighted the widespread agreement on this decision, deeming it unreasonable for Nicaragua to continue enjoying CAFTA benefits while the U.S. remains its primary importer.
Nicaragua is the primary beneficiary of CAFTA, which was established in 2004 among several Central American nations, including the U.S. Its removal from this agreement would significantly weaken Daniel Ortega’s regime, known for its ties to Russia and Iran.
The Human Rights Watch reports that police and paramilitary forces killed over 300 Nicaraguans during protests in 2018, showcasing the regime’s brutality compared to other regional conflicts. Claver-Carone suggested that this expulsion could happen within months, aiming for a collective decision from CAFTA members.
The reluctance to expel Nicaragua comes from fears among Central American countries regarding potential economic fallout and migration increases. While removing Nicaragua from CAFTA could devastate its economy, experts note that it might be a necessary political action.
Local economist Juan Sebastian Chamorro warned that expulsion could greatly decrease Nicaragua’s export competitiveness and worsen unemployment. Trump’s trade policies, criticized for being shortsighted, find some justification in this case.
Claver-Carone remains optimistic about the collective will of CAFTA nations to pursue this action. Overall, this potential decision highlights the moral implications of U.S. trade policy regarding human rights protections in Nicaragua and broader regional stability.
The potential expulsion of Nicaragua from CAFTA reflects a unified stance by the U.S. against Ortega’s dictatorship, aiming to cut off economic benefits linked to human rights abuses. Although such measures could complicate regional dynamics, they signify a commitment to uphold democratic values over economic interests.
Original Source: www.miamiherald.com
