The incorporation of the State Duma (parliament) of Russia as an observer in the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) could cease to be a long-held dream of the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship and become a reality. On Wednesday, September 11, 76 out of 120 deputies that make up the regional political body signed a request, led by Nicaraguan deputy Daniel Ortega Reyes, addressed to the current president, Ramón Emilio Gori, to incorporate the Russian parliament as an observer.
The request, obtained by LA PRENSA, came four weeks after the internal elections held on August 21—contested by outgoing president Silvia García Polanco—which resulted in the victory of Ramón Emilio Gori, the candidate from the Dominican Republic.
The letter states that the State Duma of the Russian Assembly “has a history of friendship and mutual cooperation.”
Additionally, it notes that “the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation is committed to fulfilling all responsibilities as a permanent observer to Parlacen, including a contribution of $350,000 annually, as well as cooperation and donations to Parlacen, and to working with the permanent committees and other activities and events organized by Parlacen.
The letter explains that Russia has developed 13 lines of action with Parlacen, including a cooperation agreement, support with high-level experts on the issue of cybercrime, donation of COVID-19 detection tests, and the participation of Parlacen as an electoral observer in Russia’s 2024 elections.
Article 175 of Parlacen’s internal regulations establishes that the Plenary Assembly can grant observer status to national or regional parliaments and international organizations that request it or are invited by Parlacen.
It could be approved in the next Parlacen assembly
As stipulated in Article 176, the request to incorporate a country’s parliament as an observer before the Parlacen must be submitted in writing to the presidency with a statement of reasons.
“The request must be presented at the next immediate session of the Board of Directors, which shall designate the Commission on Foreign Affairs and Migration to initiate a process of political and diplomatic dialogue regarding the provisions established for that purpose (…),” states Article 176.
According to a consulted parliamentarian, the Board of Directors meets shortly before the plenary assembly, so the board “may officially review the request between Wednesday and Friday of next week.” According to the agenda available on the Parlacen website, the plenary assembly session will take place on the 26th and 27th of this month, during which, according to consulted parliamentarians, the incorporation of the Russian Duma as an observer could be approved.
Signature of the 20 Nicaraguan deputies
In the document sent to Gori, the 20 Nicaraguan deputies to the Parlacen signed.
The letter was signed by: José Antonio Alvarado Correa, Winston Betanco Blandón, Aida Ester Blanco Talavera, Julio César Blandón Sánchez, Larissa Regina Colindres Maldonado, Sidney Francis Martin, Elida María Galeano Cornejo, and Meylin Olmara Galeano Villachica.
Carlos Salomón García Bonilla, Jaime René Morales Carazo, Guillermo Daniel Ortega Reyes, Socorro Jacinta Reyes Lara, Ludendorff Rosales Hüeck, Vidal Antonio Ruiz Cerda, Doris Tijerino Haslam, Margine del Carmen Trujillo Ruiz, Aleyda de la Cruz Trujillo Ruiz, Evile del Socorro Umaña Olivas, Carla Evis White Hodgson, and José Antonio Zepeda López also signed.
Incorporation of Russia as an observer: An “old dream” of the Nicaraguan dictatorship
The dictatorship, through the dictatorship’s deputy, Daniel Ortega Reyes, has promoted the incorporation of the State Duma of Russia as an observer before the Parlacen. The Nicaraguan parliamentary bloc provided a report on April 8, highlighting the work done to incorporate the State Duma of Russia as a permanent observer before the Parlacen, according to a publication on its official site that outlines the general points of the monthly meeting.
Official media in Nicaragua disseminated the information, claiming that Russia will “soon” become part of the observer countries in the Parliament, a goal that the Ortega regime has been increasingly insistent on over the past two years.
However, during Ortega Reyes’ term, the Russian Duma did not manage to become a permanent observer because the necessary votes were not gathered. Nevertheless, according to another source consulted on the condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation, with the coalition led by Ortega Reyes, Russia could potentially join Parlacen as they would now have the required votes.
A parliamentarian informed LA PRENSA on August 29 that, following a “coalition” led by Ortega Reyes which orchestrated Gori’s victory in the internal elections, one of the objectives of this action was to include Russia as an observer.
Ortega Reyes is also the president and legal representative of the Christian Unity Party (PUC), a member of the so-called United Alliance Nicaragua Triumphs of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), which participated in the controversial elections of November 7, 2021.
Ortega Reyes is also the president and legal representative of the Christian Unity Party (PUC), a member of the so-called United Alliance Nicaragua Triumphs of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), which participated in the controversial elections of November 7, 2021.
What does it mean for Russia to be an observer at Parlacen?
“It shouldn’t be of much significance that a member of the UN Security Council becomes an observer at Parlacen. The issue is that Ortega has a strategic alliance with Russia, which is engaged in a confrontation with the United States, Europe, and democratic countries,” stated a former Nicaraguan diplomat in previous interviews with LA PRENSA, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation.
The former diplomat considered that “the concerning aspect” of Ortega acting as an agent for the Russians is that it jeopardizes the stability of the Central American region, which could become a battleground with the United States.
China is already an observer, due to Nicaraguan pressure. On August 22, 2023, Nicaragua initiated a vote to expel Taiwan from Parlacen as an observer and replace it with China. “Daniel Ortega’s dictatorship in Nicaragua wants to become a pawn of China,” stated Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response.