Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Calls OAS Policy Toward Country 'Interfering'

The Organization of American States (OAS) has been interfering in Nicaragua's internal affairs and is directly responsible for the turbulent situation in the country, Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada told Sputnik on Tuesday.

MANAGUA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th November, 2018) The Organization of American States (OAS) has been interfering in Nicaragua's internal affairs and is directly responsible for the turbulent situation in the country, Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada told Sputnik on Tuesday.

The situation in Nicaragua has recently been tense due to the ongoing protests in the country triggered by the government's decision to increase the social security contributions of employers and employees to the social insurance funds. Despite the fact that the reform was then scrapped, deadly protests continued. Since the beginning of the protests the OAS has repeatedly criticized the country's authorities for alleged human rights abuses and violent actions against protesters in tackling the mass actions.

"The OAS is the one that is most directly linked to the case of Nicaragua, it engaged in a clearly interfering, interventionist activity," the minister said.

In August, the OAS approved the establishment of a special working group responsible for the searches for a solution to the violent protests in Nicaragua. Moncada then criticized the step as interfering in the country's internal affairs.

Last week, the Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry revealed that at least 198 people were killed during the deadliest period of protests in April-July. Since the beginning of mass actions in the country, protesters, led by opposition political forces, have amplified their demands and are calling now for the holding of early election in the country. The country's president has rejected the demand, characterizing the situation in Nicaragua as a conspiracy against the country.