The government of Nicaragua has announced that it will sever diplomatic relations with Israel in response to the escalating violence in Gaza. Vice President Rosario Murillo, the wife of President Daniel Ortega, announced the decision after the country’s Congress passed a resolution condemning Israel as ‘fascist’ and ‘genocidal’. While the move is mostly symbolic, as Israel does not have a resident ambassador in Nicaragua, it adds to the country’s growing isolation on the global stage.
The decision comes at a time when Israel is facing increasing scrutiny for its actions in Gaza and across the Middle East. The death toll in Gaza has risen to over 42,000 people, and thousands more have been killed in Lebanon. The Nicaraguan government criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and expressed concern that the conflict is expanding to other countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran. Leftist leaders in Latin America, including in Brazil, Colombia, and Chile, have been vocal critics of Israel and have expressed support for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who was declared persona non grata by Israel.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have both taken action against Israel, with Petro cutting diplomatic ties and Lula recalling the Brazilian ambassador. Ortega’s government also made efforts to halt German arms sales to Israel through the International Court of Justice, but the request was rejected in April. Nicaragua itself is facing diplomatic isolation in Latin America due to repressive actions taken against dissidents and government opponents.
The move to sever diplomatic relations with Israel further isolates Nicaragua on the global stage and adds to the growing opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza. The conflict in Gaza has led to a significant loss of life and has ignited further violence in the region, with concerns over the expansion of the conflict to other countries. Latin American leaders have been outspoken in their criticism of Israel and have shown support for the UN Secretary-General, who was recently declared persona non grata by Israel.
While the decision by Nicaragua to break ties with Israel may be largely symbolic, it reflects a growing trend of international condemnation towards Israel’s actions in Gaza. The government of Nicaragua has joined other countries in Latin America in expressing their disapproval of Israel’s war in Gaza and has taken steps to distance themselves from Israel on the global stage. Despite facing its own challenges with escalating diplomatic isolation, Nicaragua has taken a stand against what they perceive as unjust actions by Israel in the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader Middle East region.
