Foreign relations of Nicaragua
Template:Short description Template:Politics of Nicaragua Nicaragua pursues an independent foreign policy. A participant of the Central American Security Commission, Nicaragua also has taken a leading role in pressing for regional demilitarization and peaceful settlement of disputes within states in the region.
Nicaragua has submitted three territorial disputes, one with Honduras, another with Colombia, and the third with Costa Rica to the International Court of Justice for resolution.
International membership
[edit]At the 1994 Summit of the Americas, Nicaragua joined six Central American neighbors in signing the Alliance for Sustainable Development, known as the Conjunta Centroamerica-USA or CONCAUSA, to promote sustainable economic development in the region.
Nicaragua belongs to the United Nations and several specialized and related agencies, including:
- World Bank
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC)
- Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
- International Atomic Energy Commission (IAEA)
- Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
- Central American Common Market (CACM)
- Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).
- Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA)
- Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
- Association of Caribbean States (ACS)
- Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)
- Latin American Economic System (SELA)
- Central American Integration System (SICA)
International disputes
[edit]- Territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank with respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca. The ICJ referred to the line determined by the 1900 Honduras-Nicaragua Mixed Boundary Commission and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required;
- Maritime boundary dispute with Honduras in the Caribbean Sea.
- Nicaragua is sovereign over the Rio San Juan, and by treaty Costa Rica has the right to navigate over part of the river with 'objects of commerce'. A dispute emerged when Costa Rica tried to navigate with armed members of its security forces.
International relations with intergovernmental organizations and countries
[edit]Nicaragua signed a 3-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in October 2007. As part of the IMF program, the Government of Nicaragua agreed to implement free market policies linked to targets on fiscal discipline, poverty spending, and energy regulation. The lack of transparency surrounding Venezuelan bilateral assistance, channeled through state-run enterprises rather than the official budget, has become a serious issue for the IMF and international donors. On September 10, 2008, with misgivings about fiscal transparency, the IMF released an additional $30 million to Nicaragua, the second tranche of its $110 million PRGF.<ref name="state.gov">Template:Cite web</ref>
The flawed municipal elections of November 2008 prompted a number of European donors to suspend direct budget support to Nicaragua, a move that created a severe budget shortfall for the government. This shortfall, in turn, caused the Government of Nicaragua to fall out of compliance with its PRGF obligations and led to a suspension of PRGF disbursements. The IMF is currently in negotiations with the Government of Nicaragua to reinstate disbursements.<ref name="state.gov"/>
Under current president Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua has stayed current with the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force for Nicaragua on April 1, 2006. Nicaragua exports to the United States, which account for 59% of Nicaragua's total exports, were $1.7 billion in 2008, up 45% from 2005. Textiles and apparel account for 55% of exports to the United States, while automobile wiring harnesses add another 11%.<ref name="state.gov"/>
Other leading export products are coffee, meat, cigars, sugar, ethanol, and fresh fruit and vegetables, all of which have seen remarkable growth since CAFTA-DR went into effect. Leading Nicaraguan exports also demonstrated increased diversity, with 274 new products shipped to the United States in the first year. U.S. exports to Nicaragua, meanwhile, were $1.1 billion in 2008, up 23% from 2005. Other important trading partners for Nicaragua are its Central American neighbors, Mexico, and the European Union. Nicaragua is negotiating a trade agreement with the European Union as part of a Central American bloc.<ref name="state.gov"/>
Despite important protections for investment included in CAFTA-DR, the investment climate has become relatively insecure since Ortega took office. According to the United States State Department, President Ortega's decision to support "radical regimes" such as Iran and Cuba, his harsh rhetoric against the United States and capitalism, and his use of government institutions to persecute political enemies and their businesses, has had a negative effect on perceptions of country risk, which by some accounts has quadrupled since he assumed office. The government reports foreign investment inflows totaled $506 million in 2008, including $123 million in telecommunications infrastructure and $120 million in energy generation.<ref name="state.gov"/>
There are over 100 companies operating in Nicaragua with some relation to a U.S. company, either as wholly or partly owned subsidiaries, franchisees, or exclusive distributors of U.S. products. The largest are in energy, financial services, textiles/apparel, manufacturing, and fisheries. However, many companies in the textile/apparel sector, including a $100 million U.S.-owned denim mill, had shuttered by 2017.<ref name="state.gov"/>
Poor enforcement of property rights deters both foreign and domestic investment, especially in real estate development and tourism. Conflicting claims and weak enforcement of property rights has invited property disputes and litigation. Establishing verifiable title history is often entangled in legalities relating to the expropriation of 28,000 properties by the revolutionary government that Ortega led in the 1980s. The situation is not helped by a court system that is widely believed to be corrupt and subject to political influence.<ref name="state.gov"/>
Illegal property seizures by private parties, occasionally in collaboration with corrupt municipal officials, often go unchallenged by the authorities, especially in the Atlantic regions and interior regions of the north, where property rights are poorly defined and rule of law is weak. Foreign investor interest along the Pacific Coast has motivated some unscrupulous people to challenge ownership rights in the Departments of Rivas and Chinandega, with the hope of achieving some sort of cash settlement.<ref name="state.gov"/>
In October 2022, the European Union declared the Nicaraguan representative Zoila Müller non grata.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Diplomatic relations
[edit]List of countries which Nicaragua maintains diplomatic relations with:
Bilateral relations
[edit]| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flag | 1985 (With the People's Republic of China)<ref name=gjwtzl>Template:Cite journal</ref> | See China–Nicaragua relations
Nicaragua established diplomatic relations of the nationalist government of Republican China in 1930 but maintained relations after the central government of the Republic of China retreated to Taiwan after declaring the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. After the Sandinista National Liberation Front took power in 1979, Nicaragua recognized the PRC on 7 December 1985 until 9 November 1990 when FSLN was defeated and resumed relations with the ROC, which continued under Daniel Ortega's presidency since 2007. On 9 December 2021, Nicaragua resumed relations with the PRC.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Template:Flag | See Colombia–Nicaragua relations
The relationship between the two Latin American countries has evolved amid conflicts over the San Andrés y Providencia Islands located in the Caribbean close to the Nicaraguan shoreline and the maritime boundaries covering 150,000 km2 that included the islands of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina and the banks of Roncador, Serrana, Serranilla and Quitasueño as well as the arbitrarily designed 82nd meridian west which Colombia claims as a border but which the International Court has sided with Nicaragua in disavowing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The archipelago has been under Colombian control since 1931 when a treaty was signed during US occupation of Nicaragua, giving Colombia control over the islands.
| |
| Template:Flag | 3 September 1905 | See Cuba–Nicaragua relations
Relations between the two countries were particularly positive during Nicaragua's initial Sandinista period and have been strong since the 2007 election of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua. |
| Template:Flag | See Denmark–Nicaragua relations | |
| Template:Flag | See Finland–Nicaragua relations
Finland is a significant donor of aid to Nicaragua. In 2007, total aid amounted to around EUR 14.5 million. The cooperation focused on rural development, health care and supporting local government.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1992, the Finnish government announced an aid program of US$27.4 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2006, the Finnish government pledged 4.9 million euros to help the Nicaraguan government integrate the ICT systems of 20 town councils.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2008, the Finnish government revoked a 1.95 million euro aid package meant for Nicaragua in protest of what it alleged was a lack of transparency in Nicaragua's national budget and its municipal elections.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2004, Finnish President Tarja Halonen visited Nicaragua<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where she stated "The Finnish government and Parliament have decided that Nicaragua is one of the main targets of Finnish development aid. However, the visit has shown that Finland is not only giving money – it is also interested in what is happening here".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Finnish President also made a speech to the National Assembly of Nicaragua on 31 May 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2003, the two countries signed the Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments. In February 2012, Finland made decision to stop development aid to Nicaragua. The main reason was concern over the state of the democracy in Nicaragua.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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| Template:Flag | Diplomatic relations severed in November 2008 |
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| Template:GER | See Germany–Nicaragua relations
| |
| Template:Flag | See Greece–Nicaragua relations
| |
| Template:Flag | See Holy See–Nicaragua relations
| |
| Template:Flag | See India-Nicaragua relations
| |
| Template:Flag | Diplomatic relations severed in October 2024 | Israel was the last country that still shipped weapons to the embattled Anastacio Somoza regime in 1978–1979 (the dictator's father had supported Israel in 1948, establishing a "special relationship" between Nicaragua and Israel), becoming the regime's main supplier of arms, after the Carter administration had cut off supplies amid the public outcry over Somozista troops' atrocities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This soured the relations with the -Sandinista government; the relations were then gradually normalized. In March 2017, Nicaragua and Israel reestablished diplomatic relations after they were suspended in 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In October 2024, Nicaragua broke ties with Israel again in solidarity with the Palestinian government and people amid the Gaza war.<ref name="ilcut">Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 1838 | See Mexico–Nicaragua relations
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| Template:Flag-Template:Flag | October 1979 | See Nicaragua–Russia relations
Both countries signed diplomatic missions on October 18, 1979, a few months after the Sandinista revolution.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> President Vladimir Putin visited Nicaragua on July 12, 2014.
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| Template:Flag | January 1962<ref name="mofa.go.kr">Template:Cite web</ref> |
The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Nicaragua began in January 1962.<ref name="mofa.go.kr"/>
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| Template:Flag | Diplomatic Relations severed in October 2022 | The direct cause for severing relations was the Netherlands' decision to definitively terminate its financial contribution to the Nicaraguan authorities for the construction of a hospital in Nicaragua, which has been on hold for several years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 20 March 1851 | See Nicaragua–Spain relations
|
| Template:Flag | 1956 |
Relations with Nicaragua and Switzerland focus on development cooperation, humanitarian aid and trade.
|
| Template:Flag | February 14, 1999<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | See Nicaragua–Syria relations |
| Template:Flag | Nov. 11, 1926<ref name="mfa.gov.tr">Template:Cite web</ref> | See Nicaragua–Turkey relations |
| Template:Flag | Template:Date table sorting | See Foreign relations of the United Kingdom
Nicaragua established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 18 January 1859.<ref name="britain"/>
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization, as well as the Central America–UK Association Agreement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bilaterally the two countries have an investment agreement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 1824; 1849 | See Nicaragua–United States relations
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| Template:Flag | 1849 | See Nicaragua–Uruguay relations
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| Template:Flag | 1979 |
Venezuela and Nicaragua have had diplomatic relations since January 1979. During the Venezuelan government of Carlos Andrés Pérez, they helped FSLN to overthrow regime of longtime Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle. Relations between Nicaragua and Venezuela have significantly improved during the presidency of Hugo Chávez. In 2007 Nicaragua became a formal member of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) international cooperation organization and the Caribbean oil alliance Petrocaribe. In the recent years Nicaragua has received discounted oil from Venezuela with low payments. The presidents of Venezuela and Nicaragua, President Hugo Chávez and President Daniel Ortega, have both described themselves as good friends and visited one another's nations.
|
States with limited recognition
[edit]The following table includes Republic of China, Georgia, and some of the states with limited recognition:
| Name | Recognized by Nicaragua | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flag | See Abkhazia–Nicaragua relations
Nicaragua recognized Abkhazia<ref name="Government of Nicaragua">Template:Cite news</ref> and South Ossetia<ref name="cancilleria.gob.ni">Template:Cite news</ref> on September 5, 2008. At a press conference in November 2008, Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos López said, "Certainly, we think that the decision [to recognize independent Abkhazia and South Ossetia] was fair and appropriate. They [the republics] must be given time for inner formalities. We will coordinate the possibility and terms of direct diplomatic relations at a convenient moment. Obviously and logically, we will be acting via our friends, probably Russia, to establish closer contacts and diplomatic relations [with the republics]."<ref name="iStockAnalyst">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> | |
| Template:Flagcountry | Yes |
|
| Template:Flagcountry | Yes | Recognized by 34 UN states, claimed by Morocco. |
| Template:Flag | Yes | See Nicaragua–South Ossetia relations
Nicaragua extended diplomatic recognition to South Ossetia<ref name="cancilleria.gob.ni"/> and Abkhazia<ref name="Government of Nicaragua"/> on 5 September 2008. After the recognition was announced, the Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry stated that they would immediately establish ties with Tskhinvali and would eventually appoint an ambassador to the republic.Template:Citation needed At a press conference in November 2008, Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos López said, "Certainly, we think that the decision [to recognize independent Abkhazia and South Ossetia] was fair and appropriate. They [the republics] must be given time for inner formalities. We will coordinate the possibility and terms of direct diplomatic relations at a convenient moment. Obviously and logically, we will be acting via our friends, probably Russia, to establish closer contacts and diplomatic relations [with the republics]."<ref name="iStockAnalyst"/> The recognition of South Ossetia by Nicaragua triggered immediate reactions from other countries involved in the dispute over the status of South Ossetia. Georgia responded to Nicaragua's concurrent recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by cutting diplomatic relations with the Central American state at the end of November 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Russia offered to strengthen ties with Nicaragua and to provide aid to Nicaragua to help rebuild areas damaged by hurricanes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The U.S. Secretary of Commerce canceled a planned trip to Nicaragua, with the U.S. Ambassador in Managua saying, "It isn't the appropriate moment for the visit."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Template:Flagcountry | Yes<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | A sovereign entity without territory, established diplomatic relations with 104 states. |
| Template:Flag | Diplomatic relations severed in 2021 |
Nicaragua used to maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of the People's Republic of China. In 2007, President Daniel Ortega stated that Nicaragua will maintain its diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Ortega defended Nicaragua's right of having diplomatic relations with Taiwan and China at the same time and insisted that Nicaragua will not break its diplomatic relations with Taiwan and Vice-president Jaime Morales Carazo (during Ortega's first tenure) criticized the People's Republic of China for conditioning Nicaragua's diplomatic relations. Nicaragua maintained its diplomatic relations with Taiwan until 2021.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On December 9, 2021, Nicaragua broke off diplomatic relations with the Republic of China and recognised the PRC as the legitimate Chinese government.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
See also
[edit]- List of diplomatic missions in Nicaragua
- List of diplomatic missions of Nicaragua
- Nicaragua v. United States
- Brazil–Nicaragua relations
- Nicaragua–United States relations
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua Template:In lang
- ICJ Nicaragua v. Colombia (Preliminary Objections) and (Merits) and 2007 Preliminary Objections Judgment Template:Webarchive and Template:Usurped and BBC Template:Webarchive and Colombia President and Template:Usurped and Analysis 20 Hague YIL 75–119 2008Template:Dead link
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