On Saturday, Nicaraguan business leaders and civic groups rejected the powers given to a state entity that creates a “suprapolice” that violates the rights of individuals and companies.
The regulation to the law that created the Financial Analysis Unit (UAF), published on October 3rd, authorizes that agency to “have direct access to information protected by public institutions and impose administrative sanctions” on subjects under investigation, according to the press release.
The president of the Higher Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP), José Aguerri, in statements to the press, said he believed the powers given to the UAF turn it into a “suprapolice”.
These actions could lead to the temporary or definitive closure of companies, which contributes to exacerbating the climate of insecurity and discourages domestic and foreign investment, warned the private sector.
According to the Articulation of Social Movements, a member of the Blue and White National Unity that calls for the government’s exit from the current crisis, denounced that the UAF is a “super espionage institution” with broad powers of action and without adherence to the laws of the country.
The information on salaries, taxes, registration of people, properties, as well as activities related to export and import, will be the object of the UAF.
It will also be able to stop the operations of banks, financiers, insurance brokers, vehicle dealers, remittance companies, jewelry stores, and non-governmental organizations, among others.