Mexico city: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday defended her decision to abstain from an Organization of American States (OAS) vote on Nicaragua. She stated that the decision was grounded in the constitutional principles of self-determination and non-intervention. "It is a matter of self-determination," Sheinbaum emphasized.

According to Anadolu Agency, the OAS Permanent Council had approved a resolution on Wednesday for an urgent meeting of foreign ministers to address the political situation in Nicaragua. The measure received 29 votes in favor, with Brazil voting against, and Mexico abstaining. Haiti and Venezuela did not participate in the vote.

Mexican representative to the OAS, Alejandro Encinas, defended Mexico's abstention during the session. Encinas argued that Nicaragua's internal situation does not pose a threat to hemispheric peace or security, as reported by the Mexico Solidarity newspaper. He noted that Mexico did not support the convening of a meeting on Nicaragua without clarity on potential measures against a country that is no longer a member of the OAS.

President Sheinbaum ruled out the possibility of seeking dialogue with the Nicaraguan government regarding democracy. She stated that Mexico "would have no reason to do so" because it is "a decision for Nicaraguans themselves," according to Forbes Mexico.

The OAS initiative followed the announcement by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega on July 19 that elections would not take place in 2026, despite previous plans for general elections in November. A constitutional reform approved in 2025 extended Ortega's presidential term and named his wife, Rosario Murillo, as co-president, moving the elections to November 2027.

The initiative was promoted by the US, Argentina, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay after an earlier attempt to advance a similar measure failed to gain sufficient support on August 5. The OAS resolution adopted on August 19 declared that representative democracy, considered essential for the region's stability, peace, and development, "no longer exists in Nicaragua."

Nicaragua's withdrawal from the OAS became effective in November 2023, following years of tensions with the organization over issues related to democratic governance and human rights.