Nicaragua Lends Diplomat to Libya

Nicaragua solidified its previously rhetorical support for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, permitting senior Nicaraguan diplomat Miguel D’Escoto Brockmann to act as the United Nations delegate for Libya. The North African nation has struggled to maintain a seat at the U.N. since mass protests began there in February. Former Libyan delegate Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalgham resigned from his UN seat after the protests began, and his subsequent replacement, Ali Abdussalam Treki, was denied a visa to the United States.

Libya’s delegate choice is no surprise, as Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has described Gaddafi as a “brother” and strongly renounced the recent military intervention in Libya by U.S. and European, and now NATO, forces. D’Escoto is a close advisor to the leftist Nicaraguan president and, although born in the United States, has vehemently criticized U.S. foreign policy in the past. D’Escoto’s appointment bypasses the immigration obstacles imposed by the U.S. on his predecessor, which had essentially stripped Libya of a UN seat. D’Escoto’s new position has garnered outrage from Nicaraguan opposition parties and the country’s Permanent Committee on Human Rights according to LatinNews. But for now, it appears that Libya can find its staunchest ally in Nicaragua.

Written by COHA Research Associate Zoe Amerigian