Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H. Res. 754, expressing the support of the people of Nicaragua in their peaceful effort to promote democracy and human rights, authored by the chairman of the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade Subcommittee, Mr. Sires. Daniel Ortega and his socialist Sandinista government continue to hold onto power through corruption, intimidation, and violence against the people of Nicaragua. Since his return to power in 2007, Ortega, an ally of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and the Castro regime in Cuba, has dismantled Nicaragua's democratic institutions and enriched himself and his family at the expense of the people of one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. In 2018, Nicaraguan security forces directed by Ortega violently suppressed peaceful protests that led to at least 325 deaths, 2,000 injuries, and the arbitrary detention of more than 800 Nicaraguans. Since then, Ortega has resisted calls by the international community to restore respect for human rights in the country and pass reforms to allow for free and fair elections. In response, the United States imposed individual sanctions on Nicaragua's First Lady and two of Ortega's sons. The Treasury Department also sanctioned one of Nicaragua's main banks and, most recently, Nicaragua's National Police for continuing to facilitate corruption and carry out human rights violations on behalf of the Ortega regime.…”