Nicaragua shuts down more than two dozen NGOs critical of Ortega

A woman watches a televised speech of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, in Managua, Nicaragua March 23, 2022. REUTERS/Maynor Valenzuela/File Photo

MANAGUA (Reuters) - Nicaragua's parliament, controlled by allies of President Daniel Ortega, on Wednesday shut down 25 non-governmental organizations in a move slammed by the opposition as a further attack on civil society.

The organizations, many of which have publicly criticized the government, were closed by Congress with 74 votes in favor and 15 abstentions. Lawmakers argued the NGOs had violated Nicaraguan laws and failed to disclose financial accounts.