Nicaragua Political Crisis Senate Hearing - Ortega, Repression and Democratic Institutions

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee00:00Daniel Ortega declared that Nicaragua would no longer hold elections, but to allow the or to allow the opposition to take power. Nicaragua allow the or to allow the opposition to take power. Nicaragua's general assembly advanced a constitutional amendment package that would bar those designated as traitors to the homeland from running for office and further entrench the hold on power.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee00:00Ironically, this is a combination of two decades spent dismantling the very democratic institutions that Allowed Ortega to return to the presidency following the election. Even governments like Russia and Iran preserve the appearance of faith elections as a source of legitimacy.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee00:35Ortega is now moving forward toward dispensing with even that façade, and that should deeply concern us not only for the future of Nicaragua, but for the future of democracy in our hemisphere. Alongside his wife and copresident, Nicaragua Ortega has spent years transforming Nicaragua into an authoritarian state in the heart of The western hemisphere, rewriting the constitution, eliminating presidential term limits, consolidating control of institutions, and eliminating meaningful pick political opposition have become hallmarks of his regime.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee01:10The consequences for the Nicaraguan people have been devastating. Since violently suppressing nationwide protests in which more than people were killed, the regime has intensified its repression, stripping hundreds of citizenship, shuttering independent media and civil Society organizations, and targeting religious institutions, journalists, human rights defenders, political leaders, members of the clergy, and ordinary nicaraguans have faced persecution for challenging or being suspected of challenging the regime.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee01:45Basic freedoms have increasingly been treated as threats to the state. But what happens in Nicaragua does not stay there. The regime has extended its oppression beyond borders, using surveillance the regime has extended its oppression beyond borders, using surveillance, intimidation, and threats against those who have fled the country, while family members that remain behind face retaliation.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee01:45The Message is chilling. Leaving Nicaragua does not put you beyond the regime's reach. As Ortega has closed Nicaragua, he has increasingly open the country to U.S. Adversaries and strategic competitors. The regime maintains long-standing relationships with Cuba, Iran, and continues to deepen its ties with Russia.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee02:20Moscow has supplied military equipment, supported security forces, and established a Russian interior ministry training center forces, and established a Russian interior ministry training center. China has rapidly expanded its economic and diplomatic foothold since Ortega severed the long-standing relationship between Nicaragua and Taiwan.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee02:56Those looking to challenge U.S. Interests are finding a willing partner in a way to expand their influence in our own hemisphere. Political repression and hardship have driven hundreds of thousands from their homes, placed additional pressure on neighboring countries, and contributed to irregular migration.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee02:56Taken together, this development should concern every member of this committee. The United States has a clear interest in the western hemisphere of a free, possible prosperous, and Democratic nations. In Nicaragua, religious freedom is suppressed and adversaries are welcomed with an open arm in Nicaragua, religious freedom is suppressed and adversaries are welcomed with an open arm.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee03:30It runs directly contrary to that interest. For too long, the regime has escaped the scrutiny its conduct deserves, not by lack of effort from members in this committee including our distinguished ranking member. It is time to put Nicaragua back in the spotlight for the people and the right to determine their own future.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee03:30The United States must stand with nicaraguans demanding accountability and working toward the restoration of the democratic government. Today's hearing is an opportunity to examine the regime, its repression's its relationship with their adversaries, and the consequences for our country and the hemisphere, and it is an opportunity to send a clear message to those fighting for a free and democratic Nicaragua that the United States is paying attention.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee04:05With that, I would like to recognize the ranking member, my good friend, the senator with so much experience in this part of the world, for his comments. Sen. Kaine: I want to thank you and the staff for bringing this hearing together.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee04:05It is an important topic and

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator04:40You framed it well, Mr. Chairman, in your opening comments. This is timely and urgent because the human rights challenges perpetrated by the current regime in Nicaragua have to be taken seriously both for the state of nicaraguans and for the entire nation.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator04:40I know very well the signs of an autocratic government, the actions they take and inflict on everyday citizens. I also know most autocratic governments are not stable and eventually they do fall to justice and accountability.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator05:15I know this because I experienced it firsthand as a missionary in honduras in living in a military dictatorship. I saw the abuses perpetrated by an authoritarian regime in that country. That open my eyes to democratic backsliding when it occurs.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator05:15In that year, and that is the only part in my life when I visited. It was shortly after the effort to depose the dictatorship of antonio somoza. It was very early in the chapter, so there were really high hopes about Nicaragua Finding a positive path forward after dictatorship.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator05:50That is what makes this hearing and the need to have it so sad. Because it is horrifying to see many of the conditions in the country today sort of mirror what was seen back in those days when nicaraguans dreamed of and ability to shape the destiny of their nation.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator05:50A key lesson I took from my time in honduras is that instability, weak governments and governance, and regional security are all Threatened when people cannot choose their leaders, express themselves freely, worship freely, or hold their governments accountable.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator06:25Ortega came to power in he has started a path of gradually weakening democratic institutions, the consolidation of power in the executive branch, and the setting of a foundation that we now see as critical to today's authoritarian regime.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator06:25Marked a significant point, as the chairman manchin. The violent repression came about as a controversial plan Was being pushed in the legislature. Protesters filled the street and were met with severe repression. Hundreds were killed.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator07:00Thousands were injured were met with severe repression. Hundreds were killed. Thousands were injured. There were widespread human rights violations documented. That led right up to the fraudulent presidential election, where additional summonses of democratic governance were weakened.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator07:00President Ortega knew he was deeply unpopular with the Nicaraguan people and that he would be likely to lose in a free and fair election. What did he do? Instead of letting the people Sleep speak, he eliminated his opposition.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator07:36Seven presidential aspirants were arrested including arturo cruz, miguel mora seven presidential aspirants were arrested including arturo cruz, miguel mora, and Juan Sebastian Chamorro. We are privileged to have Mr. Chamorro with us today. They were not defeated.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator07:36They were not even allowed to compete. They were detained, in prison, convicted with a sham proceeding that lacked due process, stripped of Their nationality, and ultimately expelled from the country. Unfortunately, the story we will hear in a few minutes did not end in the regime transported them all to the United States.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator08:10In virginia, we were proud to welcome them as they came into dulles airport. In America, these political prisoners from Nicaragua thought they would be safe, but they are not prisoners from Nicaragua thought they would be safe, but they are not.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator08:10They're currently in limbo they would be safe, but they are not. They're currently in limbo, facing deportation by the Trump administration. I would urge the administration To evaluate the legal protections that can be extended.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator08:45That would be the right thing to do. It would be important to the values I believe. I hope to work with the chairman and my colleagues to elevate this issue with the administration. It is difficult to be a harsh critic when criticism is warranted it is difficult to be a harsh critic when criticism is warranted, when conditions remain that violate rights.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator08:45The current regime has dismantled the semblance of democratic governance. The regime has turned to Russia, China, and others democratic governance. The regime has turned to Russia, China, and others, as was indicated by the chair, for assistance.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator09:20So what is happening in Nicaragua is a reminder that democracy does not always died in a coup or a military takeover the erosion starts when an authoritarian leader systematically undermines the foundations of free society, the press, independent judiciary, weaponizing the government against dissidents press, independent judiciary, weaponizing the government against dissidents, and weakening institutions.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator09:20As a longtime member of this subcommittee and recently the chair of the subcommittee as a longtime member of this subcommittee and recently the chair of the subcommittee, I think Congress Has the responsibility to authorize the necessary tools to put pressure.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator09:55We are not perfect. We have our own challenges. Frankly, the best way to do anything I'm not trying to lecture somebody else. But to try to get better. But we do have tools. We ought to use them to pressure those who are violating the rights of others.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator09:55That is why there was restoring electoral rights through mandates of accountability, which would provide the U.S. With the authority to Sanction the officials responsible. We have to continue to work with allies and partners.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator10:30I want to conclude my opening statement and move into the most important part of this, which is hearing from her witnesses and asking them questions. Again to the chair, I certainly appreciate the opportunity to have a hearing.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator10:30Chair curtis: Thank you, senator kaine. I explained to my staff before this started I got quite a bit of tutoring on the pronunciation of names. I must admit my need of second language is Chinese and I do

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee11:05Very poorly with names. With apologies in advance if you will bear with me Eddy Acevedo will be our first witness. He is the vice president of policy and public relations at the national endowment for democracy.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee11:05He engaged with Congress and the executive branch on efforts to increase democracy and human rights around the world. He previously held senior positions at USAID and the wilson center, and spent six years on the house foreign affairs committee wilson center, and spent six years on the house foreign affairs committee.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee11:05Which I spent a short stint on myself. While he oversaw the western hemisphere portfolio, he worked

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy11:40On issues including democracy and foreign assistance. He received a masters's degree from georgetown university and foreign assistance. He received a masters's degree from georgetown university, and the floor is yours for five minutes. Thank you.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy11:40Chairman curtis, ranking member kaine, thank you for calling this important hearing. The views expressed in this testimony are my own and do not necessarily reflect an official position of the national endowment for democracy.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy11:40Years ago, when I served as a senior staffer on the house foreign affairs committee, we had A hearing entitled democracy held hostage in Nicaragua. The former U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua, robert callahan, testified then that Ortega's candidacy in the sham election was illegal, illegitimate, and unconstitutional.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy12:15He was right then and he is still right today. The Ortega regime is completely illegitimate. I mention this hearing for a reason. Congress has led on Nicaragua before, and its leadership is needed once again.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy12:15Members of this committee now have Another opportunity to shape the U.S. Response against the tyranny in Managua and show the people of Nicaragua that the U.S. Is on their side. Ortega's recent statement that there will be no more elections is not new.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy12:50For decades, the Ortega regime has denied the people of Nicaragua whether fundamental human rights, including the opportunity of a free, fair, and transparent election. Nicaragua also presents a direct threat to U.S. Interests and national security.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy12:50The ream regime has weaponized illegal migration as a source of revenue and leverage. Beyond its alliances With Cuba and Venezuela, Ortega has embraced China and Russia. Chinese backed firms control more than of Nicaragua's territory through mining concessions more than of Nicaragua's territory through mining concessions, targeting a gold sector whose exports reach billion in Russia has provided tanks and surveillance technology that helps Ortega repress his people.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy13:25In return, Ortega has authorized Russian military aircraft, ships, and personnel to use Nicaragua as a forward operating Base. A hostile partnership is operating in our own hemisphere, right under our noses. Ignoring it would only raise the eventual cost to the United States.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy14:00In while working for a congresswoman, I was responsible for drafting the Nicaragua investment conditionality act. The congresswoman joined us in the house. In the Senate, senators cruz and lacey led the way, joined by Others.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy14:35When Ortega's forces massacred, injured, and unjustly incarcerated protesters in april I was at USAID injured, and unjustly incarcerated protesters in april I was at USAID, and I helped surge resources to civil society when those groups were under extraordinary pressure.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy14:35Later that year, Congress passed the act and president Trump signed into law. Today, the regime assault on nicaraguans continues. It has stripped more than people of their citizenship, rendering many of them stateless. The Ortega regime has also barred citizens from Returning home the Ortega regime has also barred citizens from returning home.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy15:10It has labeled critics as traitors, including me. When the regime sanctioned me and theme to me a traitor in the regime has banned more than religious processions and sent security officials into churches to not only monitor sermons by priests, but also who is in the congregation.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy15:10Americans have also become targets. In the regime arrested nine passengers affiliated with the texas-based gateway ministry on Fabricated charges. In a U.S. Navy veteran was shot dead in a Nicaraguan prison. In Ortega's violence goes beyond Nicaragua's border.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy15:45About assassinations or attempted assassinations of nicaraguans have been documented in honduras and Costa Rica. A man was recently gunned down at his doorstep in Costa Rica. Two weeks ago, another Nicaraguan was shot three Times in the second documented attempt on his own life.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy16:21So while this brutality? The Ortega regime fears the Nicaraguan people. We know this. Its rulers know that the people who refuse to surrender their freedom threaten a system sustained by fear, repression, and illicit revenue.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy16:21At the national endowment for democracy, I see every day what courageous nicaraguans can accomplish. Inside Nicaragua and from exile, our Nicaraguan partners provide uncensored news inside Nicaragua and from exile, our Nicaraguan partners provide uncensored news, Document abuses, protect victims, help religious communities, and build coalitions for peaceful democratic change, all at enormous personal risk.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy16:55To conclude, I want to offer some recommendations before you. First, sanction Daniel Ortega himself. The United States and our allies should send a clear, loud message that the architect of this repression will face direct consequences.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy16:55Second, sanction the Nicaraguan military institute as an entity. It controls the army's Public investment fund. Third, fully use the prohibitions of import from Nicaragua and U.S. Exports to Nicaragua, provided under White House executive order eight.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy17:30This executive order was never enforced. The administration should actively use these authorities now and Congress should codify these restrictions into law actively use these authorities now and Congress should codify these restrictions into law.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy17:30If left unchecked, the Ortega regime will continue to destabilize the region, deep in the reach of our adversaries, and threaten U.S. National security. Congress has change the course of

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee18:05U.S. Policy toward Nicaragua before. It could do so again on a bipartisan basis. Thank you, thank you. Mr. Gil Guerra is a fellow at the hudson institute, where he focuses on U.S. Strategy toward the western hemisphere with the focus on the economic and security dynamics shaping that market and the caribbean.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee18:05His research includes hemispheric security, strategic competition, and the use of migration as an instant instrument of statecraft. He served as a senior policy analyst for immigration and Security and wrote at the dispatch covering immigration and U.S.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee18:41Foreign policy. He holds a masters degree in global security and orders from queens university at belfast, where he was a scholar, and a bachelor degree from swarthmore college. The floor is yours for five minutes.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee18:41Mr. Guerra: Distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for this opportunity to testify. Nicaraguans should be voting in their presidential election this november. Instead, Daniel Ortega has moved to postpone the election by another year.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute19:17If the constitutional reforms introduced this summer are ratified, or and maria will be in office until at least january five. Given their insatiable appetite for excluding and imprisoning their opponents, they could very well be in office until if ratified, these reforms would end what little is left of democracy in Nicaragua.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute19:17I have translated them into english elsewhere and a more detailed summary can be found in my full written testimony. They have moved the general election to and terminated a wide Range of officials. They would also exclude virtually anyone expect anyone opposed to the regime from political life.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute19:50This would make the way for rosario marin oh to be the sole leader of Nicaragua. I am analyzed the daily broadcasts on state media. Mari I am analyzed the daily broadcasts on state media.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute19:50Maria mentioned Ortega in only of her broadcasts. This seems to be her preparing The country for her ascent. Her recent broadcasts increasingly make references to traders. She knows she faces unrest. These reforms give her more time to support officials who will support her and purge those who she suspects will not.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute20:26They will also allow America's adversaries, particularly China and Russia, to deepen their presence in Nicaragua. Beijing and moscow have a significant state in the continued survival of the regime. Some of the steak is economic.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute20:26Since january the regime Has granted Chinese linked firms of concessions that cover about of Nicaragua and an area roughly the size of connecticut. The regime is also cooperating with China and Russia strategically. A democratic government would reject these authoritarian ties.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute21:00But the reforms will keep the officials in office for even longer. Meanwhile, regime repression is intensifying. At least people are currently being held in forced disappearances. And The regime continues to prosecute the catholic church.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute21:35An 80-year-old bishop was arrested after he celebrated mast mass. He remains under house arrest. We should be clear eyed about what we can accomplish. The regime will almost certainly implement these reforms in january we should do what we can to prevent that.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute21:35More importantly, we should work to commence officials propping up murill more importantly, we should work to commence officials propping up murillo that she is a bad bet and their lives will get worse Under her role.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute22:10Unfortunately, our policy is out of date. Daniel Ortega is not on the sanctions list, nor are the police who ran a detention center notorious for holding political prisoners police who ran a detention center notorious for holding political prisoners, or the political intelligence chief.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute22:10A full list of recommendations can be found in my written testimony. I will mention three key items. The first step should be to push on a band for Nicaraguan gold imports. This is the exposure we can use.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute22:47Second, pass the act with national interest waivers that require the release of all political prisoners before sanctions are lifted. Third, the chairman and ranking member should request global determinations on luis rubino third, the chairman and ranking member should request global determinations on luis rubino.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute22:47The regime cannot win a fair election so it is buying time and committing itself to robbing nicaraguans of the right to self-determination. Our response should be swift and unequivocal. Nicaragua belongs to its people, and the United States will not rest until it is returned to them.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute22:47Thank you,

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee23:20And I look forward to your questions. Deborah Ullmer focuses on democratic governance, election reform, democracy, and human rights across the region. She brings nearly three decades of experience in democracy assistance and international affairs, including previous experience as the freedom house director for national for Latin America, and work leading a national transition program in Nicaragua.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee23:20She spent more than two decades At ndi, primarily working on Latin America and the caribbean. She holds an executive master's degree in international peace and conflict resolution from the American university and a degree from seton hall university.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee23:55The floor is yours for five minutes. Ms. Ullmer: Thank you, chairman curtis and ranking member kaine minutes. Ms. Ullmer: Thank you, chairman curtis and ranking member kaine. Thank you for this opportunity to address Nicaragua's political crisis.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee23:55I have lived and worked in Nicaragua for seven years, including in where he witnessed the atrocious human rights violations that shocked the country. Standing with the brave

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator24:30Nicaraguan people in defense of freedom and democracy reflects our nation's most challenged most cherished values. I'm grateful to have this opportunity to join you in shining a light on the assault on democracy in Nicaragua.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator24:30The hearing represents a moral imperative, a strategic necessity, and the national security priority. On july president Ortega announced the elimination of elections, brazenly confirming he has no intention of maintaining even the pretense of democracy.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator24:30But the erasure of fundamental freedoms did not Happen overnight. For the past two decades, president Ortega and his copresident and wife Rosario Murillo have consolidated a family dynasty that echoes the sum most set era, and dismantle democracy.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator25:05The duo has clung on to power by unleashing a brutal campaign of repression, arbitrary detention, and forced disappearance, confiscation of property including of U.S. Citizens, including mine, denationalization, and forced exile. Countless nicaraguans have Been directly affected by this ongoing repression, including the nicaraguans stripped of their citizenship, such as independent journalist luis gagliano, scores of exiles, and the remaining political prisoners including bishop mata.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator25:41Washington has good reason to care about what is happening in Nicaragua. The country has become fertile terrain for China and Russia, just miles from your southern border. At the united nations general Assembly last week, Nicaragua's foreign minister endorsed the policies of both of their strategic allies, China and Russia.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator26:16As you know, Iran is also considered a close ally of Nicaragua. In addition, the regime's growing pattern of transnational oppression poses a regional security threat. The assassination of a retired Nicaraguan army major in Costa Rica underscores this threat.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator26:16According to the u.n. Group of human rights experts On Nicaragua, these cases are not isolated incidents. Their latest reports state that violations investigated since including murder, torture, and transnational persecution on political grounds including murder, torture, and transnational persecution on political grounds, amount to crimes against humanity.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator26:50Ortega's recent announcement made it clear that the regime no longer believes it needs to maintain even a façade of electoral democracy. Yet the autocratic arrogance should not be mistaken for strength. In fact, it may serve as a sign that Ortega's Eventual succession will represent a moment of vulnerability.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator27:25Now is the time to act. Ndi applauds the Senate moment of vulnerability. Now is the time to act. Ndi applauds the Senate's bipartisan act to enhance sanctions on economic sectors generating revenue for the Ortega family.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator27:25Congress can go further by targeting the intermediaries and corporate enablers that allow the regime to evade sanctions, especially in the gold sector. The United States should scrutinize China's expansion into ports and telecommunications, Russia's satellite facilities, and both Countries' police training activities.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator28:03As China and Russia deepen their foothold in Nicaragua, action is needed urgently. The hearing is timely in light of the consultation with foreign ministers this week. It brings a welcome opportunity to coordinate regional action under the OAS democratic charter, which affirms representative democracy is essential for peace and stability representative democracy is essential for peace and stability.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator28:03Member countries should use all tools at their disposal to pressure Nicaragua into concrete, verifiable steps Toward the restoration of democracy and fundamental human rights, including the release of all political prisoners, the restoration of nationality, and a pathway to credible elections.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator28:35Despite relentless oppression, opposition actors are building consensus around a peaceful democratic future. The United States should renew and sustain assistance to democratic actors so that they are prepared when a political opening emerges. At the national democratic institute, we know that when people have a choice, they

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee29:10Choose democracy. But now, nicaraguans do not have that choice. Thank you again for this opportunity to testify. I look forward to your questions. Juan Sebastian Chamorro is a former presidential candidate and current coordinator for citizens for liberty.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee29:10He participated in the Nicaraguan government for liberty. He participated in the Nicaraguan government. In he was detained alongside other opposition leaders and spent nearly two years as a political prisoner before being released and vanished in February of he previously held senior positions in the Nicaraguan government and led an economic think tank.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee29:45From three to he was a visiting fellow at the university of notre dame. He holds a phd from the university of wisconsin madison and a degree from georgetown university. Mr. Chamorro: Thank you very much for the opportunity to testify.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee29:45I come before this committee with a great sense of gratitude for your attention to the political crisis

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad30:20In Nicaragua with a great sense of gratitude for your attention to the political crisis in Nicaragua, and for all those killed, disappeared, and persecuted by the or to go or and for all those killed, disappeared, and persecuted by the or to go Ortega/murillo regime.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad30:20I come as a political prisoner and one of the nicaraguans expelled from our country, stripped of our nationality and one of the nicaraguans expelled from our country, stripped of our nationality, and confiscated of our properties.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad30:20I represent at least six members of this group. I also thank the members of this committee who supported the amica Act I also thank the members of this committee who supported the amica act.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad30:56That picture helped make our continued imprisonment more costly that picture helped make our continued imprisonment more costly, and releasing us to the U.S. Department of state in february in I was competing to become a candidate for president of Nicaragua.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad30:56Seven candidates were competing in that election campaign. When the opposition organized into a single primary, the regime arrested every single candidate. There was no independent evidence Or opportunity to defend ourselves. I was sentenced to years in prison for so-called treason.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad31:30The sentence had been written well before the proceedings even began. I spent, along with many, the next days in prison. For the first three months, I was forcibly disappeared. During that time, my wife and my daughter had to leave Nicaragua and he did not have the opportunity to talk to them for months.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad31:30The conditions Of imprisonment were designed not simply to break or to deprive us of our freedom, but to break us physically and emotionally. I spent weeks in isolation freedom, but to break us physically and emotionally.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad32:05I spent weeks in isolation, as well as my colleagues, and endured brutal interrogations I spent weeks in isolation, as well as my colleagues, and endured brutal interrogations, threats, intimidation, psychological torture. Basic human needs were considered privileges psychological torture.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad32:05Basic human needs were considered privileges. An electric light was on hours a day. We witnessed a federal political prisoner die in custody. Punishment cells were small, hot, and barely large enough to move. So how did we survive?

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad32:40We relied on our faith move. So how did we survive? We relied on our faith, and physical activity. In my case, I exercised my brain and walked around laps around my cell every single day.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad32:40My feet reminded me that the regime could imprison my body, but it could not determine who I was and what I believed. Confiscation for all of us was equally devastating. In my case, the property taken by a presidential decree represented family history inherited from my father by a presidential decree represented family history inherited from my father, memories, identities lost.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad33:16My wife, also targeted by the regime, built the family business for decades. A source of income and security for our family, also confiscated. My written testimony documents the persecution of leaders, clergy, NGOs, and others, as well as The regime's growing ties to China and Russia and the risk for hemispheric security.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad33:50I also have included specific sanctions to be put on the individual's fears. Chairman, members, these terrorists do not respond to condemnation. They are inherently evil. The respond only when the political and economic costs of their actions become consequential.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad33:50This is No longer a conventional authoritarian regime. This is a criminal family controlled system that uses state institutions this is a criminal family controlled system that uses state institutions, economic sectors, multilateral financing, and relations with hostile foreign powers to oppress the Nicaraguan people.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad34:25The reform act led by senator cruz and senator kaine, will call upon the international community to isolate the regime. The nature of this legislation is what they fear the most. I cannot stress enough how critical and timely

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee35:00The legislation is. I know time is short, but I would like to personally appeal to you on behalf of the Nicaraguan people to pass this legislation this year, before the regime enshrines its dictatorships this coming january.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee35:00Thank you. Thank you for sharing that with us today. I will begin our questions. Mr. Guerra sharing that with us today. I will begin our questions. Mr. Guerra, how would you define the administration's current strategy with regard to Nicaragua?

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee35:00Mr. Guerra: I think that the

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute35:35Current strategy is somewhat premised off of the actions that we took in january toward the Venezuelan regime. There seems to be this sense that Nicaragua is after Cuba, so we took care of Venezuela first, and then perhaps after that we will move to Nicaragua.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute35:35There have been some actions that were taken. There were some gold firms that were designated earlier in the spring. When I would like to see is perhaps having Nicaragua take more of a priority, at least equal to Cuba.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee36:10We have not had new designation since the last ones were announced in april. I believe we are long overdue for an additional designation. Transnational repression is a threat to democracy everywhere. It is a tool of dictatorships in China, Russia, Iran.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee36:10Can you speak to the tactics of transnational repression specifically employed by this regime and those that are unique to this regime? There is a lot of surveillance Mr. Acevedo: There is a lot of surveillance.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee36:45Thugs are sent to neighboring countries. There are threats. There is surveillance. And then someone at the highest level makes a call to assassinate or try to assassinate folks. One of the issues that we have is in Costa Rica and honduras, those governments are not taking this as a priority.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee36:45In honduras, there is very little investigations. The same in Costa Rica. President fernandez was quoted and said that is the government they have chosen to have. She walked back those comments. The foreign minister walked back those comments when the foreign minister was fired last week.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee37:20The Costa ricans tell the nicaraguans to keep a low profile or leave the country. That is not the signal that we want to be sending. However, I do want to stress I recognize that Ortega leverages the border and threats to close the Border and keeps Costa ricans at bay.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee37:55The same with honduras. I think we also need to send a clear message to Ortega not to close the border to cause a migration pipeline. You are ahead of me but my next question is what can we do.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee37:55So in addition to that, what are your suggestions for how the U.S. Can engage on this? Mr. Acevedo: One of the things we are doing we are supporting NGOs who are documenting the transnational oppression that is going on for the region.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee37:55I

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy38:30Think that is very important. Secondly, I think we can ask for iml and drl I think that is very important. Secondly, I think we can ask for iml and drl. They have also prioritized transnational repression within Latin America.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy38:30I think they can provide technical support and law enforcement support to these countries to build their capacity to deal with this issue. Chair curtis: Sanctions in april of this year some of the sanctions include two of Ortega's sons.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy38:30It feels like we are watching Nicaragua evolve from a dictatorship into a family Dynasty. If nothing changes in Nicaragua, and murillo succeeds her husband, what is the expected trajectory in the last years? We are witnessing that transition before our very eyes.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy39:05One of the things that murillo is seeking is a little bit of legitimacy. Obviously, that is not going to happen as they continue to sharpen their elbows in terms of the abuses. And one of the things she has done is Ortega for a very long time has had A really close inner circle.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy39:40She has replaced many of the people in his inner circle. They are in jail and they are on house arrest. Why? Because she recognizes that the senior leadership and the military do not support her, so she is moving these people out, putting her people in place, so that when the transition happens that she has her people in the positions to be able to maintain power.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy39:40Chair curtis: I have additional

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator40:15Questions. Perhaps we can move to a second round. Let me know yield to the ranking member. Thank you for your testimony. And reliving those experiences is not pleasant, no matter how many times you share them.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator40:15I'm sure it is difficult. We are glad those days are in the rearview mirror and you are here now in a country of free men and women. Can you talk a little bit about what conditions are like now in the United States for the former political prisoners, given the limbo status they are in?

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad40:50My understanding is that six of these dissidents who stood up to authoritarians have been detained by ice. Yes, you are correct. Six former members of the have been detained. We came, as you know six former members of the have been detained.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad40:50We came, as you know, from a plane contracted by the U.S. State department. We came for conditional humanitarian parolee. We were given a number. The Majority are in legal limbo, waiting for the meeting to take place.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad41:25The majority of them actually can produce all the paperwork. Just a few numbers have been called to this initial meeting. I think the Nicaraguan case is something of why political asylum should exist. Because we Were stripped of our nationality.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad42:00The difficulties of being stateless cannot be exaggerated. These people the difficulties of being stateless cannot be exaggerated. These people, the this was extended. It is a status that brings all kinds of complications. For whatever paperwork that you want to do in any country, in Costa Rica, spain, the U.S..

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad42:00So for me, I think

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator42:35It is it is one thing to be sent to another country when you are a stateless individual. It would be another thing to go back to the country that imprisoned you, tortured you, convicted you, stripped your nationality.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator42:35There are sometimes concerns about the overuse of refugee or asylum status. But these political prisoners who came to the United States in political exile after their nationality had been stripped is the core of the program.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator42:35I am working with you to make sure. Mr.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee43:12Chamorro: The reason why political asylum should exist this is the best representation of a case why. Sen. Kaine: You touched on the illicit gold-mining issue. For those of us who are not so focused on it, I have a bill with senator cornyn that we are trying to pass, dealing with gold-mining in the region.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee43:12Talk about how this gold-mining issue is of concern and we should be paying attention to it as we consider sanctions.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute43:47Mr. Guerra should be paying attention to it as we consider sanctions. It has fueled a rise of organized crime in the Costa rican border area. One of the things we have seen, perhaps one of the reasons Costa ricans have been somewhat ambivalent about taking further action on this, is that they may feel they do not have the current security capacity to deal with the demand for gold.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute43:47Illegal mining and depredation. In addition, this is also something that supplies the regime with quite a lot of money. Many of the firms regime with quite a lot of money. Many of the firms, that is one of the things they can offer to the Chinese.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute44:20That is one of the main concessions. That seems to be rising. That seems to be an increasing natural resource they are offering the Chinese. It is also one where they are deeply exposed to the United States.

Gil Guerra, Fellow, Hudson Institute44:20You can get different numbers. We take about according to the central bank. So there is a bit of a discrepancy there. In either case, we take a significant share of gold. Sen. Kaine:: The last thing is a

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator44:55Point I would make you touched on religious persecution. You mention the arrest of the bishop whose status is still as a political prisoner. The breadth of religious persecution shocked me. Mother theresa has been kicked out of Nicaragua persecution shocked me.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator44:55Mother theresa has been kicked out of Nicaragua. You talk about a nonpolitical operation. This helped the most destitute people. There is just sort of a fear that if anybody is gathering for any reason, they might be talking about The government in a way that is fueling this paranoia of the president and his copresident and spouse.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator45:30This committee, looking at all the members of this committee, ever here has been really active the religious persecution, the reform act deals with that the religious persecution, the reform act deals with that. We will continue to be diligent.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator45:30My time is up and tell I have a second round. I will hand it back to you, Mr. Chair. Chair curtis: I would like to turn the floor over to the senator from florida.

46:05I am from florida and we have a lot of nicaraguans venezuelans, argentinians. We have a lot of people from Latin America. They are the ones who have been able to get there. There are all these questions and all these countries.

46:05But the Ortega regime is doing his criminal coming to the people of Nicaragua. Through take regime appears intent on eliminating independent institutions, which the typical approach when you take over a country like this.

46:05This Includes the catholic church, religious charities, civil society. What steps can you take to protect these wet these networks, not weaken them? Sustained democratic voices inside and outside Nicaragua. Make sure Nicaragua has a meaningful role in shaping the response.

46:40Mr. Chamorro: First, to move from individual sanctions, which can happen. My colleagues have mentioned sanctions to economic sectors, economic institutions that represent funding for the

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad47:15Nicaraguan regime to repress. This is something that is included in the written testimony. For those assets of Nicaragua. All of those elements that allow the regime of Nicaragua to get resources to repress. Basically, moved from individual sanctions to sanctions that overall touch the structure.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad47:15The gold sector is a good Example. You have to go beyond a specific company because it is a whole line of supply you have to go beyond a specific company because it is a whole line of supply.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad47:50Basically, what they do with Chinese collaboration is to evade those sanctions. Some more investigations Chinese collaboration is to evade those sanctions. Some more investigations, once those sectors are being sanctioned, to investigate how bad guys are moving to evade those sanctions.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad47:50Other sanctions I think legislation. We supported the legislation because it leaves the space open to other sectors of the Economy that can be identified, and represents resources without affecting the Nicaraguan people. That is what we mentioned we said we support for the regime to know that there are economic and financial consequences.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad48:26We can talk about the financing with China, which is a little more difficult to stop. But things can be done. Sen. Scott: What do you think about the stuff the administration has done so far?

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad48:26The visa bans about the stuff the administration has done so far? The visa bans. The Pressure on the regime to shut down the visa free springboard. I think those are necessary. I think those create the right pressure.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad49:00But not only the administration but also Congress and other steps in the international community. We are two days away from the organization of American states to have this important meeting to recommend specific actions.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad49:00I think the leadership of The United States administration has been proven to be influential in creating all these governments. As I mentioned, I think the administration put on specific sanctions that will touch the copper of the moneymaking mechanism.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad49:35In gold is a good example, but it is not the only one. We have other ones as well. Sen. Scott: One of the lifelines the Ortega regime was using where are they getting their money?

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad49:35How much do they get from each sector? I will answer that question in three parts, senator. As a fellow floridian, it is great to be here from miami. One, I would say it, just to put a little bit of perspective gold is the number one export of Nicaragua right now.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad50:10It is not coffee. It is not apparel. It is not beef. It is gold. When we mention it, that is number one. I would say it is important to look at treasury should investigate the Nicaraguan central bank.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad50:10There is Some anecdotal evidence that suggests that the central bank is playing a role in circumventing sanctions. So the Nicaraguan officials that have been sanctioned, they cannot go to a U.S. Corresponding bank because they are sanctioned.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad50:45So the central bank is playing the role to facilitate. The other thing you could look at is halting the U.S. Importation of Nicaraguan beef. Just in the U.S. Imported million of Nicaraguan beef. That is another leverage point we can use.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad50:45But The Ortega family is involved in real estate, energy, telecommunications, these are all high-value targets, senator, that you can use to apply pressure. I would like to yield to the ranking member of the full committee.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad51:20Thank you all for being here today. I don't know who wants to answer this question, so I will ask, and whoever would like to respond. But Nicaragua's military and financial ties with Russia and China have allowed the Ortega murill financial ties with Russia and China have allowed the Ortega murillo regime to retain power despite sanctions.

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad51:55Russia's federation council ratified a military agreement with Nicaragua. Since Nicaragua has received over a billion dollars in Chinese financing for infrastructure, for energy projects. How can we effectively counter that kind of influence without impairing the regime even further?

Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Coordinator, Ciudadanos por la Libertad51:55Chair curtis: Can I take one piece, madame ranking member? I would say that you are

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee52:30Correct. Russia and China are playing a role. But I do not want to underestimate that the U.S. Itself is also playing a role here. To give you one data point, the U.S. Continues to have a trade deficit on trade with Nicaragua by over billion.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee52:30So it is one of the few countries throughout south America that the U.S. Has a trade deficit with, so what I mean is that Ortega is profiting more than we are receiving on the backend.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee52:30Sen. Shaheen: What

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy53:05Are we buying from Nicaragua? Beef is the large one. Beef is the largest thing we buy. Coffee and rice. There is other elements. That is why earlier I talked about this executive order which I believe should be enforced, which would prohibit Nicaraguan imports or exports to the U.S.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy53:05I believe should be enforced, which would prohibit Nicaraguan imports or exports to the U.S., and U.S. Investments and imports into Nicaragua, because we ourselves have a role here, and we can cut off some of those financial lifelines.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy53:05Sen. Shaheen: I don't know if anybody else wants to speak to that.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI53:40Thank you so much, ranking chairman. We are looking at not just China's role and Russia's role ranking chairman. We are looking at not just China's role and Russia's role. Russia's role is more extensive than just the military support.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI53:40They have satellites that have been documented by the pentagon since that have been used, we fear, of not only spying on nicaraguans, but also as a central base for all of Central America. China, as it as eddy has said and my colleague gil, for tele-communications, spying on nicaraguans and using them as intelligence gathering throughout Central America.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI54:17Both of these countries and Nicaragua are very close allies with Iran. Iran has had trade agreements, and it is not about commerce. It is about access.

54:50It is about access to intelligence. I think we need to be very concerned about security, not just the presence of foreign military, including russians and Chinese, but the intelligence gathering happening. Mr. Chamorro spoke eloquently about the repression that is going on in Nicaragua and what that means to individuals.

54:50Thank you for your testimony. But can you speak, Mr. Acevedo, to the efforts that the national endowment for democracy is doing in

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee55:25The country to the efforts that the national endowment for democracy is doing in the country, and the rest of you can speak to civil society groups, organizations that are trying to counter some of that repression.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee55:25Mr. Acevedo: Thank you, and I agree. I worked with his wife very closely to try to get him freed. We also have another individual who is in the audience today. He was one of the seven who was picked up and was entailed.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee55:25In the difficult times and they were being tortured by the regime. In we invested million, the third-largest program we have in the region, behind Venezuela and Cuba. Our work through ourselves and institutes including ndi, is really focused on supporting independent media, transnational repression, protect victims, document human rights abuses, and work with religious freedom communities.

John Curtis, Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee56:02Sen. Shaheen: Thank you.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI56:38With support from the national endowment for democracy, we are working to document and research China's control over the gold sector. And hopefully, we will be coming out with some media abo control over the gold sector.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI56:38And hopefully, we will be coming out with some media about tha control over the gold sector. And hopefully, we will be coming out with some media about that. Accordin and hopefully, we will be coming out with some media about that.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI56:38According t and hopefully, we will be coming out with some media about that. According to "th and hopefully, we will be coming out with some media about that. According to "the financi and hopefully, we will be coming out with some media about that.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI56:38According to "the financial time out with some media about that. According to "the financial times, mor out with some media about that. According to "the financial times, more tha out with some media about that.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI56:38According to "the financial times, more than out with some media about that. According to "the financial times, more than of Nicaragua' according to "the financial times, more than of Nicaragua's territory h according to "the financial times, more than of Nicaragua's territory has been hand times, more than of Nicaragua's territory has been handed over in chine times, more than of Nicaragua's territory has been handed over in Chinese concessions.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI56:38Concessions. Concessions. Concessions. Concessions, rathe concessions. Concessions. Concessions, rather, with gold mining companies. There is a Nicaraguan organization that is als gold mining companies. There is a Nicaraguan organization that is also documentin there is a Nicaraguan organization that is also documenting tha there is a Nicaraguan organization that is also documenting that the there is a Nicaraguan organization that is also documenting that these concessions overlap wit organization that is also documenting that these concessions overlap with indigeno documenting that these concessions overlap with indigenous territories a documenting that these concessions overlap with indigenous territories and rai documenting that these concessions overlap with indigenous territories and rain forest, protected territories.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI57:10Indigenou indigenous territories and rain forest, protected territories. Indigenous are indigenous territories and rain forest, protected territories. Indigenous areas affected, which represen forest, protected territories. Indigenous areas affected, which represent forest, protected territories. Indigenous areas affected, which represent of the communit indigenous areas affected, which represent of the community lands indigenous areas affected, which represent of the community lands.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI57:10It I which represent of the community lands. It is importa which represent of the community lands. It is important to contin which represent of the community lands. It is important to continue this documentatio community lands.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI57:10It is important to continue this documentation, t community lands. It is important to continue this documentation, to continu community lands. It is important to continue this documentation, to continue to expo it is important to continue this documentation, to continue to expose China' is expanding concession documentation, to continue to expose China' is expanding concessions o documentation, to continue to expose China' is expanding concessions of the gold mini documentation, to continue to expose China' is expanding concessions of the gold mining sector.

Deborah Ullmer, Regional Director, NDI57:10It is a way that t concessions of the gold mining sector. It is a way that the regime ha concessions of the gold mining sector. It is a way that the regime has

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy57:46Be sector. It is a way that the regime has been evading our sanctions. Mr. Aceved it is a way that the regime has been evading our sanctions. Mr. Chamorro it is a way that the regime has been evading our sanctions.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy57:46Mr. Acevedo: Mr. Chamorro: Thank you for these questions. I would like to add something. Why is Ortega approaching Russia, China, and Iran? The reason behind that is regime survival. They need these alliances to keep the flow of resources.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy57:46So the specific question of what can be done from the U.S. Perspective increase intelligence and attention to what is going on in that region. Coordinating with regional partners is extremely important. Regional partners like the central American country side are extremely worried about what is happening in Nicaragua.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy58:20Monitoring security and military cooperation. And using targeted economic and diplomatic tools against actors who facilitate oppression, or activities that directly threaten the U.S. Interests. The idea here is to counterbalance the influence that China is having into the region by focusing more on the economic case and Any support to the economic cause, to your second question economic case and any support to the economic cause, to your second question, for democracy fighters, regardless of where they are, how they think.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy58:55The position is to have a really united front to do whatever is necessary to resist and to bring a transition plan to democracy that will not bring instability to the region but will bring peace and prosperity with the new democratic process in Nicaragua.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy58:55This is the discussion we are having, and I know the U.S. Congress, U.S. Administration, can help to put forward these plans, you can see it has destroyed institutions, hurting independent media in the company, there is no electoral council, no NGO's.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy59:30And this requires resources. Thank you. Thank you all very much. I would like to yield to the senator from nevada. Good morning, for holding this hearing for the witnesses and providing your expertise today.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy60:07The conversations are difficult, and we appreciate you being here. As senator kaine was talking about, folks who are deported, asylum-seekers and the like. I want to talk about risking the safety of U.S. Deportees.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy60:07Since the Trump administration took office, deportation of fights from the U.S. To Nicaragua have increased about compared with previous administrations. I'll have to tell you these people are people who came to The U.S.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy60:40Seeking asylum, who have no criminal record, and those who came chose to come to this country because it stood as a beacon of freedom and justice. Human rights organizations have expressed concerns on the Trump administration is planning to deport human rights offender defenders, political opponents, and indigenous leaders are targets of the Ortega regime.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy60:40So Dr. Chamorro and indigenous leaders are targets of the Ortega regime. So Dr. Chamorro, you have witnessed firsthand the lengths to which the Ortega regime is willing to silence and punish those Who speak out against it and champion democracy.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy61:15Can you share with us what tactics the Nicaraguan government may use against individuals deported from the U.S. That it sees as a threat to the authoritarian regime, and maybe you also want to talk about how we send people to third countries, countries which they have no connection, and the impact it has as well.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy61:15Thank you, senator. I believe, truly believe that Whoever is sent back to Nicaragua will face the same conditions I just described, but even worse. When I say these people are inherently evil, it is not a rhetorical sentence.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy61:52It is the truth, people can get killed if returning to Nicaragua. The fear of political asylum is throughout the war, and the U.S. Is a good example of a country that for centuries Has received people is a good example of a country that for centuries has received people, threatened their lives to give the political asylum.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy62:25It is dangerous for nicaraguans to be expelled to Nicaragua. What about the to a third country that may have no connection to? Do you believe the Ortega regime can continue targeting opposition figures, regardless of what country they are deported to?

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy62:25That is related to the international cooperation we were talking about. When you have a leader assassinated at his doorstep in san jose, Costa Rica, and another opposition leader shot three times in Costa Rica, two other political opponents assassinated in honduras, we are talking about a security threat to the region.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy63:02These people have been trained by east germany, the security forces. Political movements, and the use of the Nicaraguan embassies, or wherever they are. In Costa Rica it has a very large representation of diplomats.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy63:02These are security focused Forces that are vigilant, they follow the steps of Nicaragua. A lot of fear of being a third country. Clearly not safe for anyone to be deported third country. Clearly not safe for anyone to be deported, either back to Nicaragua or a third world country.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy63:35Here we are, the Foreign Relations committee. We know there has been big slashes to foreign assistance. It's had a negative impact around the world. The impact of foreign assistance cuts on civil society in Nicaragua.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy63:35We fed a decades long history of supporting the Nicaraguan people to foreign assistance to Advance democracy, which we know we really need to do to support human rights, anticorruption, economic development programs, critically important to success.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy64:10Secretary rubio the Trump administration gave all of it. So Mr. Acavera secretary rubio the Trump administration gave all of it. So Mr. Acavera, given the crackdown on political opposition, how have the cuts to U.S.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy64:10Foreign assistance affected Nicaraguan civil society and democratic actors, both in Nicaragua and those currently in exile? Thank you for the question. On the democracy side, for we have put million into our support for NGO's in Nicaragua, but also outside of the exile community.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy64:46It is a high priority for us, our presidency, Nicaragua will remain that priority and received that support. From the state department side, we are working on this issue the state department Put out bids for folks to apply of around million, and it is going to support independent media, transnational support as well.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy65:21The state department is also putting their side of the efforts into this initiative. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Chairman. If the witnesses will indulge us, I would like to take one more shot at just a few thoughts.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy65:21The united States has opposed visa restrictions are more than Nicaraguan officials and sanctioned numerous individuals connected to the regime for human rights abuses, corruption, antidemocratic activity, are these working? How are we doing on those?

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy65:55What I looked at in my research, one of the things I found in my previous position, I spent time looking at the ways in which Nicaragua weaponized a regular migration. One of the things I found was there was a correlation between when We began imposing these sanctions on people who operated various airline companies and big transport companies and removing peoples.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy66:30Shortly after that, they did begin the border encounter numbers with third country nationals, or many people were flying in from Nicaragua, did begin to go down. One of the things I found interesting was shortly afterwards started doing that and after the administration, in her daily broadcasts, in my spoken testimony, the regime Stopped characterizing the U.S.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy67:06As negatively. There was a decline in her calling that the, imperialists. It seemed to be something they were trying to lower on. What I would love to see more of, I know we have sanctioned Chinese nationals who have engaged in corruption in Central America.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy67:06I would love to see more people elected to some of the forms costs throughout the hearing, have those sanctions impose on them. In many cases, the people themselves may not be traveling to The U.S., Chinese nationals oftentimes have reasons to the U.S.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy67:40They could be an additional expansion. Gold has come up a number of times. I have an interesting card that says almost all U.S. Imports of Nicaraguan gold are prepared for florida and utah. What is going on?

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy67:40That is my chart. I have a website what is going on? That is my chart. I have a website, Nicaragua-research.com or you can see this. I was almost hoping you would not find it.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy67:40From my understanding, I think for utah In particular, much of the gold in bully and form goes to utah to be refined for further processing. That is why utah counts from to I was a blue if any of the witnesses have any sense there is anything untoward in that, I would love to know about that and we can explore further.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy68:16Let me touch on this religious freedom issue. The ranking member manchin all of us are concerned about it. It is kind of A subconscious thing. That is the canary in the coal mine, a really good indicator.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy68:50To all of you, what is going on, particularly with the catholic church? Is it seen as a threatening organization that could threaten the regime? Go ahead. A senator, you are correct. The regime looked at the catholic church as a threat.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy68:50I wanted to bring in these photos to illustrate a little bit of what we are dealing with. You Can see the chart, jesus christ on the cross. This was firebombed. This is the front page of the commission report from this happened in point you have two archbishops he has blood on his hands from being attacked by a mob.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy69:25You have another bishop surrounded by the police. This is what we are seeing in Nicaragua. And this is a father and one roman. Nine mothers entered his church to begin a hunger strike because their loved ones were being held in jail.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy70:03They did the hunger strike as a form of a protest. This is how the regime responded. They surrounded the church, cut off electricity and water responded. They surrounded the church, cut off electricity and water, and these people were under siege for nine days.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy70:03This is the reality of what is happening in Nicaragua. We are happy to and to those in the record if you want to leave them here. We will give you the last word on this as I run out of Time.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy70:35This has included the catholic church, but also the president protestant church. A good example of being detained. The public church is being silenced. How oppressive this regime is, and are is extremely important. Thousands of processions canceled every year.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy70:35Saints, the figures being held on to under temple arrest. This is what we are seeing in Nicaragua. The reason why, according to some indexes, puts Nicaragua in one of the lowest places in democracy in the world.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy71:11Out of throughout the world. Is it a comparison I also think I don't have the databank, but the corresponding relationship to Prosperity and quality of life in the country. I yield to their humor.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy71:45[speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] Spanish] thank you. Thank you to all of our witnesses for attending today. And providing us with the benefit of your testimony. For information of members, the record will remain open until the close of business tomorrow, october we ask witnesses to respond Is probably as possible, your responses will also be made part of the record.

Eddy Acevedo, Vice President, National Endowment for Democracy73:30With the thanks of the committee, the hearing is now adjourned.