Dominican Republic to withdraw embassy from Nicaragua over democracy concerns

The Dominican Republic announced Friday it will withdraw its embassy from Nicaragua while conditions affecting democracy persist, as announced by Foreign Minister Víctor -Ito- Bisonó during an Organization of American States (OAS) meeting in Washington. Bisonó made the statement at the Thirty-First Consultation Meeting of Foreign Ministers, where he was elected vice president, addressing events in Nicaragua under the OAS Charter and Inter-American Democratic Charter. He said the decision follows President Luis Abinader's foreign policy promoting democracy and human rights. The move continues the Dominican government's stance from July 22, when it condemned Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's remarks that elections would not be held again in that country. Bisonó urged regional responses to go beyond statements and translate into concrete actions.