Nicaragua Investment Conditionality Act

The Nicaragua Investment Conditionality Act, also known as NICA Act, is a bill that, as a response to the alleged election fraud committed by Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega during the 2016 election, prevented Nicaragua from taking additional loans until they were willing to "[take] effective steps to hold free, fair and transparent elections."

Nicaragua Investment Conditionality Act
Great Seal of the United States

Procedural history

In 2016, the bill was passed by the United States House of Representatives, but not the Senate and was reintroduced to the House of Representatives during a new session in 2017. The Nicaraguan Government opposed this bill, with Nicaraguan Vice President and First Lady Rosario Murillo calling it a “reactionary and interventionist" action that would “undermine the right of Nicaragua to continue developing the socialist model.”.[1] All ALBA member states are opposed to the bill.[2] An international group of notable trade unionists have also voiced their opposition to the bill by signing a solidarity statement in support of the Government of Nicaragua:[3] Rosa Pavanelli of Public Services International; Joe O'Flynn of SIPTU; Owen Tudor of Trades Union Congress; Tim Roache of Britain's General Union; Kevin Courtney of National Union of Teachers; Mick Cash of National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers; Dave Prentis of UNISON. Human Rights Watch supported the legislation, calling it “a powerful tool to press the Ortega-Murillo government to end its pattern of abuse against opponents”.[4]

On December 20, 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the NICA Act into law after it was unanimously approved by Congress. This enactment came eight months after the beginning of the 2018–2020 Nicaraguan protests.[5]

References
  1. "Condemnation of US threats against Nicaragua". Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Action Group news. London: Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  2. "ALBA members denounce proposed NICA Act". Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Action Group news. London: Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign. 11 April 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  3. "Trade Union Leaders Voice Opposition to NICA Act". Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Action Group news. London: Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  4. "Nicaragua: US legislation Key for Accountability". Human Rights Watch. 2018-12-12. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  5. "Statement by the President". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved 20 December 2018 – via National Archives.
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