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Nicaragua Recalls Ambassador to Argentina Ahead of Milei’s Inauguration
As Argentina prepares to welcome its new president, Javier Milei, Nicaragua Monday took the unprecedented step of recalling its ambassador to the country. This dramatic move comes in response to Milei’s repeated criticism of the Nicaraguan government, which he has labeled as “dictatorial” and “communist.”
Milei, a radical right-wing libertarian, is set to be inaugurated on December 10th. During his election campaign, he pledged to sever diplomatic ties with several countries, including Nicaragua. This stance has caused considerable tension between the two nations, especially given Nicaragua’s long history of political instability.
The decision to recall the ambassador is a clear sign of Nicaragua’s disapproval of Milei’s policies. In a statement, Nicaragua’s foreign ministry explained that the withdrawal was necessary “in the face of repeated declarations and comments” from the incoming Argentine government.
Nicaragua’s President, Daniel Ortega, has been a controversial figure throughout his career. A former Marxist guerrilla leader, Ortega ruled Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990 before being ousted in a US-backed coup. He returned to power in 2007 and has remained there ever since, despite accusations of human rights abuses and authoritarianism.
In 2018, Ortega unleashed a violent crackdown on anti-government protests, resulting in widespread international condemnation. Since then, Nicaragua has become increasingly isolated from its neighbors, with many countries imposing sanctions and diplomatic restrictions.
Despite his harsh rhetoric during the campaign, Milei has recently softened his tone towards some of the countries he had criticized, including China and Brazil.
Mali & Niger to Terminate Tax Agreements with France
In a joint statement, the governments of Mali and Niger Wednesday announced their intention to terminate long-standing tax agreements with France within the next three months. This decision, according to the AFP news agency, stems from perceived “hostility” from France and concerns regarding the agreements’ “unbalanced nature,” which allegedly disadvantage these African nations financially.
The tax treaties, dating back to 1972 for Mali and 1965 for Niger, aimed to prevent double taxation for citizens residing in both countries and facilitate cooperation in other financial matters. However, the current governments now believe these agreements are detrimental to their national interests and require revision.
This action follows a similar move by Burkina Faso earlier in 2023, representing a growing trend of strained relations between these West African nations and their former colonial power. The military leaderships of these countries have increasingly expressed dissatisfaction with France’s perceived interference and lack of support in addressing regional security challenges.
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