By the Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration and Canada's government imposed sanctions Friday on some Nicaraguan officials, tying them to a tough crackdown on street demonstrations that began in the Central American country in April 2018.
In this May 6, 2018 file photo, Congress President Gustavo Porras, left, begins a session to elect five members for a special commission to investigate the events during last month's deadly protests, at Congress in Managua, Nicaragua. The Trump administration imposed sanctions Friday, June 21, 2019, on four Nicaraguan officials accused of being responsible for a crackdown on street demonstrations that began in the Central American country in April 2018. The officials are National Assembly President Gustavo Porras; telecommunications institute director Orlando José Castillo; Health Minister Sonia Castro; and Transportation Minister Oscar Mojica. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo, File/MANILA BULLETIN)
The US said it was sanctioning four officials: National Assembly President Gustavo Porras, telecommunications institute director Orlando José Castillo, Health Minister Sonia Castro and Transportation Minister Oscar Mojica.
Any assets they have in the US will now be frozen.
Canada didn't immediately identify who its sanctions were aimed at, saying only that they are "key members" of Nicaragua's government.
The US already imposed sanctions on at least six Nicaraguan officials, including Rosario Murillo, who is the vice president and wife of President Daniel Ortega, their son Laureano Ortega and current National Police Chief Francisco Díaz.
The sanctions are related to a crackdown last year that saw at least 325 people killed and more than 2,000 injured, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
"The United States is sending an unequivocal message to President Ortega and his inner circle: we stand with the Nicaraguan people on their calls for reform and a return to democracy," said Sigal Mandelker, the Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
Canada said it was acting because of the Nicaraguan officials' violations of citizens' human rights, including the right to life, security, speech and assembly.
"Human rights violations in Nicaragua cannot continue with impunity," Canada's foreign affairs minister, Chrystia Freeland, said in a statement. "The Government of Nicaragua must be held accountable for its action and must bring an end to the current crisis through real dialogue with opposition groups."
The sanctions were announced a day after the Organization of American States urged Nicaragua to release all imprisoned government opponents, cancel the legal cases against them and restore fundamental rights.
The government says it has released all prisoners from a list agreed upon during negotiations. But the opposition says at least 84 people were arrested after the initial agreement and remain jailed.
About 600 prisoners have been transferred to house arrest since February.
Ortega's government has repeatedly characterized opponents as coup-plotting "terrorists."