Washington, DC - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: "On behalf of the government of the United States, I send best wishes to the people of Nicaragua on the 197th anniversary of your independence on September 15.
"The United States stands with the people of Nicaragua as they call for freedom in the face of violent suppression at the hands of the Ortega government. We will continue to work with regional and global partners to promote accountability for those who have demonstrated a blatant disregard for human rights and fomented violence in support of the Ortega government.
"We wish the people of Nicaragua a return to peace, freedom, and democracy on this day commemorating your independence."