Nicaragua withdraws from UNESCO in protest at press freedom award

Nicaragua to leave UNESCO to deepen absence of press freedom

Nicaragua announced it would be withdrawing from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), effective Dec. 31, 2026, after it granted the 2025 Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize to the opposition newspaper La Prensa. The regime of President Daniel Ortega said the accolade was “unacceptable” and accused the publication of promoting violence and fostering anti-Nicaraguan values.

Nicaragua Exits UNESCO Over Press Freedom Award to Exiled Newspaper

Nicaragua officially withdrew from UNESCO on May 4 after the UN agency awarded its World Press Freedom Prize to La Prensa newspaper. Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke sent a letter to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay announcing the decision. The Nicaraguan government labeled the award “unacceptable and inadmissible” in its formal communication. The government accused La Prensa […]

Nicaragua suddenly quits UN cultural agency

PARIS — The United Nations agency that promotes education, science and culture, and works for the preservation of outstanding cultural and natural heritage around the world, abruptly lost one of its 194 member states. It marks a blow to the…

May 4—Nicaragua notified UNESCO of its withdrawal from the organization due to its "unacceptable and inadmissible actions" by awarding the press freedom prize to the opposition newspaper La Prensa, which operates from exile. The announcement…

Nicaragua announced its withdrawal from UNESCO because it considered it 'unacceptable' to award a press freedom award to the opposition newspaper La Prensa.