The US government kicked-off a wide-ranging check-up of Nicaraguaʼs inner workings‚ with trade relations now under the micro-scope. A top-level US official (speaking on condition of not being named) shared info about the probe on Dec 10th
The US Trade Representatives office — which handles Americas business dealings with other nations — must wrap-up its fact-finding mission within 12 months. The investigation focuses on worker treatment and basic-rights issues in the Central American nation
The probe comes at a time when Washington has a free-trade deal with Nicaragua but doesnt like what its seeing from Daniel Ortegaʼs leadership style. The long-serving leader has made choices that raised eye-brows in DC policy circles: his way of running things seems more strict than what trade partners usually expect
This move shows how business ties and human-rights issues get mixed-up in todays world. The US-Nicaragua relationship — which has seen ups-and-downs over many years — might need some fixing based on what this investigation finds