Following Trump's return to the White House, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo have adopted a markedly different approach to their relationship with the United States. This shift involves silently cooperating with Trump's deportation policies, evidenced by a recent increase in deportation flights to Managua, a stark contrast to their previous public welcoming of deportees under the Biden administration.
Furthermore, Ortega and Murillo unexpectedly withdrew their support for South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of genocide. This decision represents a significant departure from their previous vocal support for the Palestinian cause.
Ortega's public rhetoric concerning Trump has been significantly muted compared to his strong criticisms of Biden. He avoids mentioning Trump by name and refrains from identifying the 'Yankee imperialism' with Trump, a tactic contrasting with his past attacks on Biden. This cautious approach suggests a strategic effort to avoid provoking Trump.
Despite this apparent appeasement towards the US, the Ortega-Murillo regime continues its repressive rule in Nicaragua. They maintain a massive paramilitary force and have further consolidated power through constitutional reforms.
Analysts suggest Ortega and Murillo's actions are primarily motivated by a desire to maintain power and their privileged status. The regime's focus on relations with China and its internal rhetoric of resistance contrast with its outward pragmatism. The future of US-Nicaragua relations under Trump remains uncertain, particularly given ongoing trade tariffs and the potential influence of figures like Marco Rubio.