Costa Rica joined the Organization of American States (OAS) Working Group on Nicaragua, “whose mandate is to contribute to the search for peaceful and sustainable solutions to the evolving situation in Nicaragua, including through consultations with the Government of Nicaragua.”

The Working Group for Nicaragua is composed of a representative of each regional group and other Member States and must present a monthly report to the Permanent Council of the OAS on its actions and progress.

The group is made by representatives of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Peru and United States.

Some of the goals this group has include to “contribute to the process of national dialogue in Nicaragua, including support, accompaniment and verification measures in coordination with ongoing efforts of the Organization, SICA and other regional and international actors.”

“Costa Rica has made a vehement call to Nicaragua’s Government to stop the repression of protesters, the excessive and indiscriminate use of force as well as arbitrary detentions”, stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a press release; it has also urged Nicaragua to comply with the recommendations of the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights with regards to the violation of individual and collective guarantees.

Costa Rica will actively participate so that the work of this Group will facilitate negotiations with the State, the political actors and the civil society for a pacific and democratic solution that guarantees the respect of the human rights of all citizens of the country of Nicaragua.

Over 350 people have died (according to human rights organizations) as a result of the anti-government protests that have gripped the country since April 18.