Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act of 2025

(a) Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States to seek a resolution to the political crisis in Nicaragua that includes— (1) a commitment by the Government of Nicaragua to hold free and fair elections that meet democratic standards and permit credible international electoral observation to replace the Ortega regime; (2) the cessation of the violence perpetrated against civilians by the National Police of Nicaragua and by armed groups supported by the Government of Nicaragua; and (3) independent investigations into the killings of protesters in Nicaragua. (b) Review of participation of Nicaragua in the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (1) Report required (A) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the participation of Nicaragua in CAFTA–DR, which includes— (i) an assessment of the benefits that the Ortega regime receives from the participation of Nicaragua in CAFTA–DR, including profits earned by Nicaraguan State-owned entities; (ii) a description of the violations of commitments made by Nicaragua under CAFTA–DR; and (iii) an assessment of whether Nicaragua qualifies as a nonmarket economy for the purposes of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.). (B) Form The report required by subparagraph (A) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. (2) Cafta–dr defined In this section, the term CAFTA–DR means the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement— (A) entered into on August 5, 2004, with the Governments of Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and submitted to Congress on June 23, 2005; and (B) approved by Congress under section 101(a)(1) of the Dominican Republic-Central American-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 4011(a)(1)). (c) Support for human rights and democracy programs (1) Grants (A) In general The President may provide grants to private, nonprofit organizations to support programs that promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Nicaragua, including programs that document human rights abuses committed by the Ortega regime since April 2018. (B) Administration of programs Any program that receives a grant under subparagraph (A) should be administered to the maximum extent feasible in consultation with members of the Nicaraguan opposition, including individuals in exile in Costa Rica and the United States. (C) Funding limitation Any entity owned, controlled, or otherwise affiliated with the Ortega regime is not eligible to receive a grant under this subsection. (2) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, shall submit to appropriate congressional committees a report on actions taken pursuant to this subsection. This report may be combined with the report required under subsection (b)(1). (d) Support for Nicaraguan human rights at the United Nations The President should direct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to urge the United Nations to provide greater action with respect to human rights violations in Nicaragua, including by— (1) encouraging international support for conducting thorough and independent investigations into all alleged human rights violations and abuses committed in Nicaragua since April 2018; (2) urging the United Nations General Assembly to consider a resolution, consistent with prior United Nations resolutions, condemning the exile of political prisoners and attacks on religious freedom by the Ortega regime; and (3) assisting efforts, as permitted by United States law, by the relevant United Nations Special Envoys and Special Rapporteurs to promote respect for human rights and encourage dialogue towards a peaceful and democratic transfer of power in Nicaragua.