The Canadian government said on Sunday that last summer it suspended its financial assistance to Nicaragua because of human rights violations in that country, a decision that Ottawa had not made public until now.
Our government is concerned about the deterioration of the human rights situation and the economic recession in Nicaragua. In light of those concerns, last summer we made the decision to suspend direct financial assistance to the Nicaraguan government,”
said a foreign ministry spokeswoman, Britanny Fletcher.
Canada nevertheless continues to support projects implemented by NGOs and international organizations, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable people.
The repressive actions of President Ortega against his people are unacceptable. We continue to examine all the diplomatic and political options available to us to support the Nicaraguan people,”
added Fletcher.
Canada is one of the five main donors of bilateral aid to Nicaragua, and the total amount of this aid amounts to some 20 million Canadian dollars (15 million dollars) per year, according to the memorandum quoted by CBC.