Nicaragua excluded from inauguration of new Brazil leader

BRAS LIA: Brazil is excluding representatives of Nicaragua from the January 1 inauguration of new president Jair Bolsonaro because of “violations” against its own citizens, the country’s incoming foreign minister said Sunday.

“The inauguration of President Bolsonaro will mark the start of a government with a firm and clear stance defending freedom,” Ernesto Araujo tweeted.

“Because of this and given the violations of ( Daniel) Ortega’s regime against the freedom of Nicaragua’s people, no representative of that regime will be received in the event on the 1st (of January),”

Bolsonaro, a far-right politician aligned with the worldview of US President Donald Trump, has already sa id the leftwing leaders of Cuba and Venezuela are not invited to his inauguration.

He has has said he will do everything “within democracy” to counter the Cuban and Venezuelan governments.

Araujo, a mid-ranking foreign ministry employee tapped to head a diplomatic network that is among the top 10 in the world, has enthusiastically embraced Bolsonaro’s positions.

They include encouraging foreign investment while taking a cautious position toward China, its biggest trading partner, which Bolsonaro has repeatedly said is trying to “buy Brazil.”

Political oppression and violence have surged in Nicaragua since April this year as leftwing President Daniel Ortega has tried to extinguish protests against his rule. — AFP