US to impose visa restrictions on over 250 Nicaraguan officials

US to restrict visas for 250 Nicaraguan officials

Robert Besser
24 Apr 2025, 00:48 GMT+10

US to impose visa restrictions on over 250 Nicaraguan officials

The United States will limit visas for more than 250 officials from Nicaragua, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said late last week
He said this is because of human rights violations by the government of President Daniel Ortega
The United Nations says Ortega's government has created a strict system that silences opposition

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States will limit visas for more than 250 officials from Nicaragua, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said late last week.

He said this is because of human rights violations by the government of President Daniel Ortega.

The United Nations says Ortega's government has created a strict system that silences opposition. Experts say Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo—who is also co-president—have taken complete control of the government and blurred the line between their political party and the state.

In 2018, large protests broke out in Nicaragua. The government responded with violence, and more than 350 people were killed. This led to intense international criticism.

Rubio said the U.S. has now put visa restrictions on more than 2,000 officials from Ortega and Murillo's government. He said their actions have taken away people's fundamental freedoms and forced many to flee the country. He added, "The United States will not accept their continued attacks on Nicaragua."

Ortega's government has often denied these accusations, saying they are part of an international effort to hurt their country.

At the same time, some rights groups have criticized the U.S. too. They say the U.S. government has also hurt free speech, education, and human rights—by cancelling visas for students, threatening universities with funding cuts, deporting people, and supporting Israel's actions in Gaza.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Johannesburg Life.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

US to restrict visas for 250 Nicaraguan officials

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States will limit visas for more than 250 officials from Nicaragua, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio...

Measles outbreak confirmed in Michigan's Montcalm County

Michigan reports first confirmed outbreak of measles since 2019

LANSING, Michigan: The Health Department in Michigan confirmed a measles outbreak in Montcalm County this week, marking the first such...

US Supreme Court to review trump birthright citizenship move

US Supreme Court to hear Trump bid on birthright citizenship order

WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on May 15 about President Donald Trump's attempt to restrict automatic...

Trump signs order to ease seafood industry rules

Trump order seeks looser regulation of US fishing industry

WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the U.S. Commerce Department to ease regulations on...

World mourns loss of Pope Francis, dead at 88

Peacemaker Pope Francis dies on Easter Monday

THE VATICAN - The world is in shock and mourning on Easter Monday as it woke to the news that Pope Francis had died. Having recently...

Ex NYC police officer sentenced for illegal work tied to China

Ex NYC police officer gets 1.5 years for acting as Chinese agent

NEW YORK CITY, New York: A former New York City police sergeant, Michael McMahon, was sentenced this week to 1.5 years in prison. He...

Africa

Section

US to restrict visas for 250 Nicaraguan officials

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

International

US to restrict visas for 250 Nicaraguan officials

Measles outbreak confirmed in Michigan's Montcalm County

US Supreme Court to review trump birthright citizenship move

Trump signs order to ease seafood industry rules

World mourns loss of Pope Francis, dead at 88

Ex NYC police officer sentenced for illegal work tied to China

Africa

UGANDA-KAMPALA-SINOPEC-TRAINING PROGRAM

MIDEAST-RAMALLAH-PLO CENTRAL COUNCIL-MEETING

Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz reaches 200 Test wickets milestone during Test against Zimbabwe

Chinese navy marks 76th anniversary on march to world-class force safeguarding peace

INDONESIA-BANDUNG-CITY VIEW

CAMEROON-DOUALA-PRINCE WRITER

Movie Review

What Happened to Monday (aka Seven Sisters)