Nicaragua's Michael Healy, President of the Superior Council of Private Companies COSEP speaks to the media after leaving the prosecutors office in Managua, Nicaragua October 21, 2021. Healy was arrested on October 21, 2021 according to local media, ahead of the country's presidential elections. REUTERS Maynor Valenzuela Maynor Valenzuela:
MANAGUA, Oct 21 Reuters - Nicaraguan police detained the two top executives of the nation's largest business association on Thursday amid a wave of arrests ahead of Nov. 7 elections in which President Daniel Ortega will seek a fourth consecutive term, according to the association and authorities.
The Superior Council of Private Enterprise COSEP president, Alvaro Vargas, was arrested after leaving an interview at the attorney general's office and its vice president, Michael Healy, was detained at home.
Both men are members of the Civic Alliance, an opposition group that has suffered the arrest of two presidential candidates.
The executives are accused of laundering money, property and assets to the detriment of the Nicaraguan state and society, as well as calling for foreign intervention and sanctions against Nicaragua, local police said in a statement.
Ortega's government has become increasingly critical and isolated for its crackdowns against the president's opponents and critical media in the Central American country he has dominated since returning to power 15 years ago.
Since June police have detained some 38 opposition leaders, including presidential hopefuls.
COSEP in a statement demanded the immediate release of its members and described the detentions as illegal and arbitrary. These repressive actions by the government are a direct attack on COSEP and its main leaders, which does not contribute to the peace and security that all citizens yearn for, said the association. Nicaraguans will head to the polls on Nov. 7 to elect the nation's president, vice president, and renew Congress.
Ortega, who served first as president between 1985 and 1990, was elected in 2007 again as President and has governed since then.
The Organization of American States OAS expressed concern on Wednesday over Nicaraguan government actions it says will undermine elections. The OAS permanent council adopted a resolution to urge fair elections and the release of presidential candidates and political prisoners.