The Nicaraguan co-dictators expressed their “firm, consistent and unwavering brotherhood and solidarity” with Raúl Castro.
The regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo reacted nearly 28 hours after charges were brought against their political mentor, former Cuban president Raúl Castro. The U.S. Department of Justice accused him of murder, conspiracy to kill Americans, and destruction of aircraft in connection with the deaths of four pilots from the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue 30 years ago.
In the belated statement, circulated through pro-government media ahead of Rosario Murillo’s evening address, Nicaragua’s ruling couple declared their “firm, consistent and unwavering brotherhood and solidarity” with Castro during what they described as an “extremely dangerous and pernicious” moment.
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“We categorically condemn this act of disrespect, which violates all the principles and values of the United Nations, and we join the urgent call to uphold the irrevocable decision of the peoples of the world to live in security and peace,” the statement continued. The co-dictators also expressed their “love and steadfast support.”
Dictatorship Maintains Silence
While the regime remained largely silent, official media outlets merely reproduced a statement from the Cuban government published in Granma, along with another from China.
During her public appearance on Thursday, Murillo made no direct comments on the matter and limited herself to reading the statement aloud.
Opposition Figures Say Regime Is Nervous
The ruling couple has often acted cautiously in the face of perceived threats. A similar reaction occurred after the U.S. Army’s Delta Force captured Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in Venezuela on January 3. Fourteen hours later, they issued a brief statement calling for the dictator’s release.
Following mounting U.S. pressure on Cuba and now the charges against Raúl Castro, Nicaraguan opposition figures say the dictatorship appears “nervous” and “afraid.” They believe Nicaragua could be next after its Cuban allies and mentors.
“The dictatorship looks increasingly nervous, erratic and defensive because it understands that the regional context has changed and that international protection for dictatorships is far more uncertain today than it was a few years ago. The noose is tightening — and they know it in El Carmen,” political scientist Félix Maradiaga told LA PRENSA on May 20.
Sociologist and analyst Óscar René Vargas offered a similar assessment, saying Ortega and Murillo appear “nervous” and “fearful” in light of U.S. actions in Venezuela and Cuba that could eventually be replicated in Nicaragua.
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China and Russia Condemn Charges Against Castro
China, for its part, denounced what it called the “abuse of judicial means” after the United States indicted Castro.
“China has always firmly opposed illegal unilateral sanctions that lack any basis in international law and opposes the abuse of judicial means. It opposes pressure exerted by external forces against Cuba under any pretext,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters, according to AFP.
“The United States should stop wielding the sanctions stick and the judicial stick against Cuba and stop threatening the use of force at every turn,” Guo added, stressing that “China firmly supports Cuba in defending its national sovereignty and dignity and opposes external interference.”
Russia also voiced its disagreement with Washington’s decision.
“We believe the pressure being exerted on Cuba cannot be justified,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russian state media.
“We believe that under no circumstances should such methods — which border on violence — be used against heads of state,” whether current or former leaders, he added.
According to Nicaraguan opposition figures, what Ortega and Murillo fear most is that neither China nor Russia would intervene on their behalf if they came under direct threat, especially considering that neither country acted when Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro was detained.
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