Dominican Republic closes its embassy in Nicaragua in defense of democracy
In a decisive move for its foreign policy, the Dominican Republic has made official the withdrawal of its embassy in Nicaragua. This measure, announced by Foreign Minister Víctor ‘Ito’ Bisonó during the Thirty-First Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of American States (OAS), responds to the country’s stance of not maintaining full diplomatic ties while conditions persist that, in the Government’s view, violate freedoms and democratic principles in the Central American nation.
Chancellor Bisonó stressed that this decision is aligned with the fundamental pillars of President Luis Abinader, focused on the promotion and defense of human rights and institutionalism. According to the official, the region must move from words to concrete actions to safeguard the democratic commitment in the hemisphere.
As we do not want it to be said in the future, when looking back, that we did not know how to rise to the occasion, I hereby make public in this consultation of foreign ministers the Dominican decision to withdraw our embassy from the brotherly country of Nicaragua until the conditions we have denounced here persist.
Víctor ‘Ito’ Bisonó, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic
A history of diplomatic tensions
This move by Santo Domingo comes weeks after Nicaragua took the initiative to close its own diplomatic mission in Dominican territory on September 9. The gradual rupture of bilateral ties intensified during the month of July, when the Dominican government recalled its ambassador in Managua for consultations following statements by President Daniel Ortega regarding the future of electoral processes in his country.
Frictions intensified following Ortega’s statements regarding the absence of future elections in Nicaragua, which sparked strong condemnation from the Dominican Foreign Ministry. At that time, the Government of the Dominican Republic described such words as an open disregard for the principles of representative democracy and the right of the Nicaraguan people to choose their leaders in a free and transparent manner.
The response from the Nicaraguan authorities was critical, describing the Dominican stance in derogatory terms. Since then, the diplomatic climate has deteriorated significantly, aggravated by the recent approval in the Nicaraguan National Assembly—controlled by the ruling party—of a constitutional reform that, among other points, extends the presidential term to seven years and restricts the political participation of opposition sectors.
Official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the withdrawal of the embassy
With this decision, the Dominican Republic reaffirms its commitment to democratic values, setting a precedent in its relationship with Managua after nearly 75 years of historical ties that are now going through their most critical moment.
