NICARAGUA warned today that the latest “onslaught” by world imperialist powers will not derail the ongoing Sandinista revolution.

Sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States on a number of government officials just hours before the inauguration of President Daniel Ortega would not weaken the will of the people, said Sandinista National Liberation Front MP Jose Figueroa.

“Nicaragua ratified on November 7 a path of self-determination, of sovereignty, of independence, of the right we Nicaraguans have to elect our own authorities.

“No country, no government, no foreign organisation will affect the decision made by the Nicaraguan people.”

Washington imposed sanctions on a number of military and government officials and placed restrictions on the visas of 116 people whom the US accuses of “undermining democracy.”

It had already imposed punitive measures under the Renacer Act, signed into law by US President Joe Biden following the Nicaraguan presidential and parliamentary elections in November.

The US described the elections as “a sham” before votes had even been cast and has been followed in its condemnation by the EU, which has also imposed restrictions on the Central American country.

Mr Figueroa described the sanctions as an extension of the aggressive war waged by the US in the 1980s, which included funding death squads that killed at least 50,000 Nicaraguans.

The International Court of Justice ordered the US to pay reparations for its actions, including the mining of Nicaragua’s ports, but Washington has simply ignored the ruling.

In July 2017, Nicaragua announced that it was reviving its claim for $17 billion (£12.4bn) from the US, although little progress has been made.

Mr Figueroa described the latest US and EU measures as “interference” and a violation of international law.

“They have no right, no authority to attack Nicaraguan citizens, to attack Nicaraguan nationals,” he said.

One of those targeted is electoral council head Brenda Rocha, who was just 15 when US-backed Contras pumped 14 bullets into her and slit her throat with a bayonet during a July 1982 massacre.

She was the only survivor, but her arm had to be amputated because of the severity of her injuries. 

Ms Rocha was visited by Sandinista commander Tomas Borge in the days after the attack and she met him with what he described as “the smile of the revolution.” 

Mr Figueroa lambasted the EU for “daring to sanction a woman with the integrity, courage and heroism of Brenda Rocha.

“That gives you an idea that these people who establish these aggressions against Nicaragua do not have the slightest idea who they are sanctioning,” he said.

Mr Ortega also criticised the sanctions against Ms Rocha, describing her as “a victim of the war the Yankee empire imposed on Nicaragua in the 1980s.”