Argentine federal judge Ariel Lijo ordered the investigative statement and international capture of the dictator of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, and his vice president and wife, Rosario Murillo, for their alleged responsibility in serious violations of human rights. The measure also affects other senior officials of the Nicaraguan regime, within the framework of a case presented in Argentina under the principle of universal jurisdiction.
The complaint, led by lawyer Darío Richarte and a team of professors and students from the University of Buenos Aires, was originally filed on August 26, 2022. According to the file, Ortega, Murillo and other officials of his government are accused of crimes against humanity, including murders, forced disappearances, torture, political persecution and forced displacement.
Richarte described the judicial resolution as a “historical fact” and highlighted that “it marks a before and after in matters of universal justice.” According to the lawyer, the case was built over more than two years with testimonies from victims, documents and evidence collected in collaboration with international organizations. “This ruling is not the end, but it is a crucial step to make the situation in Nicaragua visible and move towards justice for the victims,” he stated.
The initial complaint documented systematic human rights violations committed under the Ortega and Murillo regime since April 2018, including the repression of civil demonstrations, the imprisonment of political opponents and the persecution of vulnerable groups. Subsequently, between November 2022 and February 2024, the complainant team presented seven extensions to the lawsuit.
The jurisdiction of the Argentine justice system to investigate this case is based on the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows Argentine courts to judge serious crimes such as crimes against humanity, regardless of the place where they were committed. This position was endorsed by prosecutor Eduardo Taiano and confirmed by Judge Lijo.
The ruling is also supported by direct testimonies from victims, presented with confidentiality of identity, as well as reports from international organizations and media articles that document the reported violations.
Judge Lijo’s resolution marks a precedent in international criminal justice and reinforces the visibility of the situation in Nicaragua on a global level. According to Richarte, the ruling “seeks to isolate dictators and commit the international community, especially the countries of America, in the defense of democracy.”
The international arrest warrant against Ortega and Murillo represents a new diplomatic challenge for the Nicaraguan regime and puts pressure on multilateral organizations and regional governments to adopt concrete measures in response to the complaints.
The case remains open, and the complainants hope that the ruling will contribute to progress towards justice for the victims and the restoration of democracy in Nicaragua.
