WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding recent events in Nicaragua:

“The eyes of the world are on Nicaragua as President Ortega and Vice President Murillo continue to chip away at the freedoms that underpin democracy. Last week, the Nicaraguan government raided and shuttered civil-society organizations and media outlets. And this week, independent experts from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights were ordered to leave the country. The Nicaraguan government’s continued repression of its internal critics and expulsion of its international critics is unacceptable. Fortunately, leaders across the Americas have raised their voices in opposition to these actions. I urge all OAS member states to continue to shine light on the Ortega government’s dangerous disregard for democracy.”

# # #