The Superior Council of Private Enterprise (Cosep), the American Chamber of Commerce of Nicaragua (AmCham) and the Nicaraguan Foundation for Economic and Social Development (Funides) demanded “energetically” on Thursday that the National Police, to withdraw “immediately the unfounded accusations “that was made last Wednesday against the private sector, after denying them permission to conduct a march in Managua.
During the reading of the statement in the presence of journalists, the Cosep office was surrounded by a strong police contingent, EFE confirmed.
The Policia Nacional on Wednesday accused the businessmen of being “participants in last April’s failed coup,” against President Daniel Ortega and the reason why authorities them a permit they had requested to hold a demonstration to express support finding a solution to the socio-political crisis in Nicaragua.
The police statement likewise accused the business sector of being “promoters, inciters, leaders, in the realization of blockades (roadblocks).”
“The National Police, without any legal basis, rejects our request and with political arguments contrary to the principles of police action of legality and professionalism, accuses us of being part of a series of absurd actions that we reject energetically,” said Cosep, AmCham and Funides, in a statement read by José Adán Aguerri, president of Cosep on Thursday.
The National Police, when informing the businessmen that they were denied permission to march, reproached them for allegedly participating and promoting the so-called “death blockades”, during the months of protests between April and July of last year and that, therefore, “they are still being investigated by the competent authorities”.
Aguerri asserted “categorically” the group rejected any type of accusation and warned: “We are ready, if they accuse us of what they are saying in that statement.”
According to Aguerri, the country is today in a more delicate crisis, because it is not only a sociopolitical crisis, but also an economic crisis. In addition, he emphasized that Nicaraguans are facing high levels of repression and criminalization.
The EFE agency reported statements by Funides executive director, Juan Sebastián Chamorro, in which it indicated that the “struggles” to achieve democracy, the rule of law and “free, transparent and advanced elections” will continue.
“We are going to continue the struggles to achieve democratization and the rule of law, that free, transparent and advanced elections can be held,” said Chamorro.
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