Florida Legislators Disdainful of Nicaraguan Regime's Church Ransacking

Washington, D.C.- A bevy of Florida legislators have released a flurry of criticism towards Nicaraguan Regime Leader Daniel Ortega for confiscating a Catholic church, forcing the extraction of sacred imagery. 

The Ortega regime has been in office for four consecutive terms, rising to power via elections considered illegitimate by the United States and allies.

The regime has been accused of numerous human rights violations. Additionally, Ortega has persecuted religious organizations, namely the Catholic church, and ordered the arrest of parishioners, priests, and even bishops throughout the country. 

Most recently, the regime seized Jesuit-run Universidad Central Americana, a top-flight university within the country. 

Consequently, Florida legislators have lashed out at Ortega’s latest attacks on the Catholic church and academic institutions. 

Senator Marco Rubio claimed Ortega "must be condemned and punished" for his government’s actions.

 

Similarly, Senator Rick Scott undermined Ortega’s actions and called for Americans to respond. “The U.S. can’t remain silent or look the other way while the Ortega-Murillo regime continues assaulting and persecuting Catholics & oppressing Nicaraguans,” said Scott. 

 

Representatives Carlos Gimenez and Maria Elvira Salazar also took to social media to excoriate the Nicaraguan regime’s actions. Representative Gimenez called Ortega an “assassin” while Salazar warned he will not “get away scotch-free”. 

President Joe Biden’s White House has officially condemned Ortega’s actions and expanded pre-existing sanctions levied on the country and its leaders.  

Current sanctions include asset freezes, travel prohibitions, and direct penalties. 

President Biden’s sanction expansion aims to prohibit all trade with Nicaragua and illegalize American investments into any sector of the Nicaraguan economy. 

In June, Salazar and others introduced the Nicaragua Political Prisoner Support Act. The lawmakers seek to grant 222 Nicaraguan prisoners, jailed for opposing Ortega's regime, refugee assistance.