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Argentine Judge Orders Arrest of Nicaragua's Ortega and Murillo for Crimes Against Humanity

Dec 30, 2024, 07:39 PM

An Argentine federal judge, Ariel Lijo, has issued an international arrest warrant for Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, his wife and Vice President Rosario Murillo, and at least a dozen others accused of severe human rights violations. The order comes in response to a complaint filed by lawyer Darío Richarte and a team from the University of Buenos Aires, alleging crimes against humanity including murder, forced disappearances, torture, political persecution, and forced displacement. The case, initiated in August 2022 after 2.5 years of investigation, is based on the principle of universal jurisdiction, allowing Argentine courts to prosecute such crimes regardless of where they were committed. The complaint documented violations since April 2018 and was expanded seven times between November 2022 and February 2024. It includes testimonies under anonymity and international reports. This development marks a significant step in addressing the human rights situation in Nicaragua, where Ortega and Murillo have been accused of consolidating power and repressing opposition.