In response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the government of Nicaragua announced that it will break diplomatic relations with Israel, condemning Israel’s leaders as ‘fascist’ and ‘genocidal’. The announcement was made by Nicaraguan Vice President Rosario Murillo, who stated that President Daniel Ortega instructed the government to sever diplomatic ties with Israel. However, this move is largely symbolic as Israel does not have a resident ambassador in Nicaragua, and relations between the two nations are minimal.
The announcement comes at a time when Israel is facing increased diplomatic scrutiny due to its actions in Gaza and other parts of the Middle East. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 42,000 people, and thousands more have been killed in Lebanon as a result of the ongoing conflict. The Nicaraguan government not only condemned Israel’s war in Gaza but also expressed concern that the fighting is expanding to other countries in the region, including Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.
The opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza has been widespread in Latin America, with leaders in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Chile emerging as outspoken critics of Israel. Colombian President Gustavo Petro cut diplomatic ties with Israel in May, describing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration as ‘genocidal’. Similarly, Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recalled the country’s ambassador to Israel and compared the war in Gaza to the Holocaust.
In addition to severing diplomatic ties with Israel, the Ortega government has also taken steps to address the conflict. In April, Nicaragua submitted a request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to halt German arms sales to Israel, a move that was ultimately rejected by the court. However, Nicaragua’s own diplomatic isolation in Latin America has been increasing due to repressive actions taken by Ortega and his allies against dissidents and government opponents.
The Palestinian mission to the United Nations announced that Brazil, Colombia, and Chile had helped spearhead a letter of support for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who was declared persona non grata by Israel. This signifies a united front in Latin America against Israel’s actions in Gaza and the broader Middle East region. As the conflict continues to escalate, it remains to be seen how other countries in the region and around the world will respond to the ongoing crisis and what impact it will have on global diplomacy and relations.
