PARAGUAY

São PauloThe Brazilian government on Thursday expelled Nicaragua’s ambassador in retaliation for a similar measure taken by the Central American nation’s president, Daniel Ortega.

Brazil’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it had decided to expel Nicaraguan ambassador Fulvia Patricia Castro Matu “as a result of the application of the principle of reciprocity to the measure adopted by the Nicaraguan government regarding the Brazilian ambassador in Managua.” It also said that ambassador Breno da Costa had already left the Central American country.

The Nicaraguan government said both Castro and Da Costa had left their posts, but did not mention that they had been ousted or give details about the reasons for doing so.

The Brazilian Foreign Ministry said Da Costa was expelled for not attending celebrations for the 45th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua. Ortega, whose critics consider him an authoritarian leader, fought as a guerrilla in that movement.

Over the past year, the rift between Ortega and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who were once allies, has grown ever greater.

Two diplomatic sources in Brasilia told AP that the Nicaraguan government protested two weeks ago over Da Costa’s absence from the festivities, paving the way for his expulsion. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, added that the Brazilian ambassador was following orders from his country’s Foreign Ministry.

The ministry had not previously confirmed local media reports about the expulsion of the Brazilian ambassador.

Lula, who had supported Ortega’s presidency, distanced himself from him when the Nicaraguan leader ignored a request from Pope Francis to stop the repression against Catholic clerics in the Central American nation.

Amnesty International reported in April that the Ortega government had arbitrarily detained at least 119 people, including Catholic Bishop Rolando Álvarez, for alleged conspiracy and spreading false information.

Brazil has frozen relations with the Central American country, meaning that no visits or meetings between leaders and diplomats from both countries are taking place.

Leticia Bessa, administrative assistant at the Nicaraguan embassy in the Brazilian capital, said Matu left the country before the Brazilian Foreign Ministry ratified his decision.

The Brazilian Foreign Ministry later said that the departure of its ambassador does not represent a complete break in diplomatic relations with Managua.

Nicaraguan Vice President Rosario Murillo, who is also the first lady and chief government spokeswoman, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the diplomatic dispute.

At a press conference with international news agencies in Brasilia on July 22, Lula confirmed to reporters that Ortega was not answering his phone calls.