US recalls Nicaragua diplomat after envoy rejected

The United States said Tuesday it is bringing its charge d'affaires in Managua back to Washington for “critical consultations” after Nicaragua failed to approve its ambassador-designate.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Nicaragua's rejection of Natasha Franceschi “demonstrates their complete unwillingness to engage in productive diplomatic dialogue.”

Pigott said charge d'affaires Elias Baumann is returning to Washington at Secretary of State Marco Rubio's instruction.

Nicaragua is led by Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo. They tightened their control after 2018 protests that left 300 people dead, according to the UN.

In September, Rubio urged international partners to “stop business as usual” with Nicaragua after its legislature voted to ban opposition parties from elections.