Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Ms. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1064, the RENACER Act. I am proud to have introduced this bill with Congressman Albio Sires, Senator Bob Menendez, and Senator Marco Rubio.

For years, dictator Daniel Ortega has been quietly dismantling democracy in Nicaragua. First, he ripped the constitution apart to get reelected, then he seized control of every branch of government, of the military, and of the police.

Ortega wants to rule the country from an iron throne, and the Nicaraguan people are suffering as a result. Ortega has banned political parties, and he has killed hundreds of Nicaraguans and jailed hundreds more.

Now we are on the eve of one of his most brazen moves in nearly 35 years of terrorizing this country, a sham election where all seven presidential candidates were arrested in broad daylight; one of them being my ex-husband, Arturo Cruz. This is his most flagrant example of a stolen election as we have ever seen, and the world needs to know that.

His brutal regime must be held accountable for its crimes against humanity and for its systematic attack on democracy. That is why Congress must pass the RENACER Act now. RENACER increases sanctions on Ortega and on Ortega's chief co-conspirator and vice-president, his wife, Rosario Murillo; and on the Nicaraguan security forces that brutalized their people.

It brings the international communities together to take down Ortega's safe havens around the world, and it exposes the Russian meddling in that country. The RENACER Act sends a clear message to Ortega and Murillo that your time is up.

I am also pleased that the provisions from my Nicaragua Free Trade Review Act were included in this critical legislation. This will trigger a review of Nicaragua's participation in the Central American Free Trade Agreement, CAFTA. The CAFTA-DR trade agreement gives Nicaragua open access to United States markets. To trade with the United States is a privilege, it is not a right.

I am here to tell Ortega and Murillo, you murderous dictators, you treacherous thugs, you will no longer have a free pass to enrich yourselves. Tyrants around the world are watching. Passing the RENACER Act shows the consequences of jailing your political opponents, of oppressing your people, and of stealing elections.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand with those who have been beaten and detained. I urge my colleagues to stand with the Nicaraguan people. I urge my colleagues to take a stand against tyranny.

The United States has long been the torch-bearer for democracy around the world. We must continue to carry that torch.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the RENACER Act.

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