Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega was sworn into office for his fourth consecutive term on Monday, hours after the United States and European Union imposed sanctions on several figures in his government following elections Washington has called a 'sham'.
President of Nicaragua's National Assembly Gustavo Porras and Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega hold hands next to Vice President Rosario Murillo, during the inauguration of Ortega's fourth consecutive term in office, in Managua, Nicaragua, January 10, 2022.
Laura Chinchilla, the former president of Costa Rica, called Ortega a "dictator" ahead of the ceremony. Ortega's first stint in power ended in 1990 and upon returning as president in 2007, he quickly set about gaining control of key state institutions, analysts say. The U.S. Treasury Department said in a separate statement it imposed sanctions on six Nicaraguan officials over accusations of state acts of violence, disinformation and targeting of independent media.