On May 20, 2021 the Nicaraguan Ministry of the Interior summoned the leading opposition candidate for the November 7, 2021 elections, Cristiana Chamorro, to the Ministry over charges of money laundering, which the press release itself says have been turned over to the Prosecutor´s office. These money laundering charges are for a period (2015-19) when her foundation was under strict supervision of the Governmental office that oversees international money transfers for that purpose, and during which time the foundation received funds from USAID. So she is interpreting this “urgent summons” as a blatant attempt to affect her participation in the upcoming elections. What follows is the translation of the press release by the Ministry of the Interior announcing the summons.
Ministry of the Interior
The Ministry of the Interior of the Government of National Unity and Reconciliation, in use of the functions of the control, regulation and follow up on non-profit organizations, granted by Law 147, General Law on Non Profit Legal Entities,Law 977 Law Against Asset Laundering, Financing of Terrorism and Financing for the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in its article 37 and Decree No. 15-2018 Regulation of law 977 in its article No. 13; let it be known that today Thursday May 20, 2021: Cristiana María Chamorro Barrios, identification no. 001-050254-0027C, representative of the “Violeta Barrios de Chamorro Foundation for Reconciliation and Democracy”, Walter Antonio Gómez Silva, identification no. 001-311066-0007Y, Financial Administrator of the Foundation and Marcos Antonio Fletes Casco, identification no. 001-290479-0048E, General Accountant of the Foundation; have been summoned to the Ministry of the Interior to respond for the inconsistencies found in the financial reports for the period 2015-2019.
The “Violeta Barrios de Chamorro Foundation for Reconciliation andd Democracy” seriously violated its obligations to the Regulating Entity and from the analysis of the Financial Statements for the period 2015-2018 clear evidence of money laundering was obtained; which is why the Ministry of the Interior has informed the Prosecutor´s Office for the corresponding investigation.
The Government of National Reconciliation and Unity, through the Ministry of the Interior, continues working and reaffirming the Commitment to Peace and Common Good.
Managua, May 20, 2021
Ministry of the Interior
Government of National Reconciliation
And Unity.