International Campaign: Nicaragua Will Be Respected! The U.S. debt to Nicaragua
Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition is partnering in thIs campaign initiated by the European Committee in Solidarity with the Sandinista Popular Revolution
SIGN ONTO THE CAMPAIGN: LINK IS HERE
Introduction
In a world where respect for international law and justice are fundamental to peace and coexistence, it is unacceptable that the United States government continues to ignore the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague of June 27, 1986, which ruled in favor of Nicaragua. This campaign was born out of the need to highlight this injustice and demand compliance with a ruling that seeks to restore the dignity and rights of the Nicaraguan people.
We denounce the United States government's failure to comply and demand respect for the International Court's ruling, which requires the U.S. government to pay reparations to Nicaragua for the damages caused by its financing of the counterrevolution and its direct intervention in the war against the Nicaraguan people.
The facts
On June 27, 1986, the ICJ ruled in favor of Nicaragua, but the United States refused to respect the Court's decision, arguing that it lacked jurisdiction over the case. Following the Court's decision, the United States withdrew its Declaration on the Optional Clause, which established its acceptance of the Court's compulsory jurisdiction.
The ICJ determined that the United States had violated Nicaragua's sovereignty by carrying out acts of armed intervention and supporting the contras attacking the country from Honduras and Costa Rica.
The Court concluded that the United States was responsible for international wrongs, including the use of force and violation of the prohibition against intervention in the internal affairs of another state.
The ICJ ordered the United States to pay reparations to the Central American country for the damages caused by its actions. However, the United States failed to comply with this part of the ruling, arguing that the Court lacked jurisdiction over the case.
In 1989, the economic damage caused by the war of aggression in Nicaragua was estimated at $17 billion, reflecting the destruction of infrastructure (bridges, electricity transmission towers, dams, health centers, education centers, and agricultural production facilities, among others) and its associated economic consequences. The death toll was estimated at more than 38,000.
The ruling reaffirmed fundamental principles of international law, such as the prohibition of the use of force and respect for the sovereignty of states.
This ruling is significant in the history of international law, as it underscored the importance of national sovereignty and the prohibition of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of other countries.
Nicaragua always in Permanent Claim Campaign
The Nicaraguan people have never forgotten the victory of this lawsuit, and the Sandinista government has always publicly demanded payment of the debt from the U.S. government.
In 2008, one year after the start of this new revolutionary phase, President Daniel Ortega demanded payment of the multi-million-dollar debt from the newly elected US president, Barack Obama.
On July 28, 2017, the National Assembly approved the Law for the Defense of National Heritage, which mandates all relevant authorities of the Nicaraguan State to take the necessary actions to comply with the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of June 27, 1986. The funds obtained from compliance with the ruling will be used to compensate all Nicaraguan families affected by the conflict orchestrated and financed by the United States.
In 2023, a survey was conducted by M&R Consultores, an in-person survey, which highlighted that 77.8% of the population (8 out of 10) believes that the Nicaraguan government should restart the legal process to demand payment and 82.2% believe that the US should pay the compensation.
That same year, Commander Daniel Ortega sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General, and again in 2024, through his Foreign Ministry, he delivered a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on April 10, the "Historic 40th Anniversary" of the filing of the claim, demanding payment of compensation.
Call to Action for Internationalist Solidarity:
The United States must comply with the ruling issued by the ICJ, as it bears moral, political, economic, and historical responsibility for the crimes it committed in the 1980s.
We believe in the importance of respecting the decisions of international institutions.
We join with the Nicaraguan people in their struggle for the recognition of their rights.
We invite organizations and individuals to join us in this cause. Together, we can echo this call and press for the ruling to be enforced. Every signature, every voice, and every action counts. Our participation is crucial to ensure that the United States government hears the cry for justice.
Yankee, Nicaragua will be respected!
Long live Sandino and the Sandinista Revolution!
Let us fight together in defense of the sovereignty and dignity of this people!
Let us fight for a future where justice prevails!
