The new President of Liberal International, VVD Member of the European Parliament, Hans van Baalen has been expelled from Nicaragua by the Sandinista President Daniel Ortega. Van Baalen heard of this action against him shortly after leaving the country by airplane to Costa Rica.

Following weeks of negotiations behind the scenes Van Baalen had reached a cooperation agreement with the leaders of the Liberal opposition parties in Nicaragua (Bancada Democratica Nicaraguense, Partido Liberal Constitucionalista, Alianza Liberal Nicaraguense). This pact of Managua is a breakthrough because the liberal parties have agreed to present one common Liberal candidate for the upcoming general election. The Liberal opposition has a majority in the parliament but was divided until now. Van Baalen called upon President Ortega to respect the constitution of Nicaragua, which prohibits two successive terms in office.

"Ortega is trying to bypass this article in the constitution illegally. The violation of civil rights is not just a national matter that can be ignored," according to van Baalen who pointed out that the vision of society as seen by Ortega has no common ground since the fall of the Berlin Wall. He predicted that Ortega will lose the upcoming election because the people of Nicaragua are fed up with corruption and the violation of human rights. Van Baalen made this statement during a packed press conference during which he was threatened verbally and physically by Sandinista activists. Van Baalen did not back down and advised Sr. Ortega not to be afraid of him 'because I am not afraid of you'.

Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE group leader, defended his colleague and denounced the anti-democratic response from the Nicaraguan leadership:
"The expulsion order issued by the Nicaraguan Government is totally unacceptable. If Daniel Ortega is not prepared to countenance free speech and open criticism he has little understanding of democracy and doesn't deserve a new mandate. Hans Van Baalen has my full support in his new role as LI President and was perfectly entitled to urge liberal forces to unite in their opposition to undemocratic governments wherever they may be."

Annemie Neyts, ELDR Party President also condemned the formal expulsion of her Liberal colleague "Things are clearly deteriorating in Nicaragua if the President of Liberal International is expelled for voicing criticism of the government. In the past LI has even held its Council meeting in Nicaragua. I welcome Hans Van Baalen's efforts in encouraging agreement between Liberal opposition parties in the country to represent a more effective challenge to the Government."

Van Baalen will continue his visit to the Americas with Honduras where he will try to mediate between de facto current President Michellite and the expelled elected President Zelaya.