The communist leader of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega broke his months-long silence about President Donald Trump's administration by launching criticism during a state event.
According to Breitbart, Ortega accused Trump of committing "crimes against humanity" over his deportation policies while also expressing strong opposition to the president's recent tariff implementations.
The verbal assault occurred during a commemoration event for Tomás Borge, a former Sandinista commander who governed Nicaragua alongside Ortega in the 1980s.
The gathering, which doubled as an early celebration of the May Day communist holiday, was attended by hundreds of military personnel, police officers, paramilitary forces, and state employees who were reportedly mandated to participate.
Secret deportation flights spark tension
Nicaragua has been quietly accepting U.S. deportation flights since January 2025, with these operations being deliberately omitted from the nation's EAAI airport authority records. The communist regime's leader expressed particular concern about the treatment of migrants in U.S. custody.
Ortega specifically referenced the case of a two-year-old Venezuelan child who remained in U.S. custody after their parents' deportation.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security clarified that the child was placed in foster care after the parents, who were members of the Tren de Aragua terrorist organization, were deported for involvement in serious criminal activities.
The Nicaraguan dictator stated:
How can you keep a two-year-old girl in prison there, the poor mother, kidnapped? And what is she waiting for? What is President Trump waiting for to send the child to that mother? Because that is a crime against humanity.
Economic tensions escalate between nations
Ortega strongly condemned Trump's tariff policies, describing them as "madness" that could potentially damage global economic stability. His criticism particularly focused on measures affecting China, a nation Nicaragua heavily depends upon.
The communist leader suggested that Trump's economic policies would ultimately harm American citizens through increased living costs.
He expressed hope that Trump's recent Vatican visit for Pope Francis's funeral might lead to more measured policy decisions.
In a defiant stance against U.S. sanctions, Ortega declared:
It should be clear to the U.S. Foreign Minister that Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela are three nations that we will never sell out or surrender.
Regional diplomatic relationships under strain
The situation highlights growing tensions between Nicaragua and the United States over immigration policies and economic measures. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent statements about targeting Nicaragua alongside Cuba and Venezuela have further strained diplomatic relations.
Ortega's administration faces increasing pressure from U.S. sanctions targeting regime officials. The communist leader dismissed these measures as "fascist" tactics that could lead to humanity's destruction.
The dictator concluded his address by reassuring his security forces of their role in maintaining peace, regardless of cost.
The unfolding diplomatic crisis
Daniel Ortega's explosive comments about President Trump's deportation and economic policies mark a significant shift in Nicaragua's public stance toward the current U.S. administration.
The communist leader's accusations of "crimes against humanity" over deportation practices, coupled with his criticism of Trump's tariff policies, signal deteriorating relations between the two nations.
As Nicaragua continues to secretly accept deportation flights while publicly condemning U.S. policies, the diplomatic tension between the two countries shows no signs of easing, particularly given the ongoing sanctions against Ortega's regime and its alignment with Cuba and Venezuela.
