Deputy Wálmaro Gutiérrez has said that Nicaragua’s interest in joining BRICS is primarily to access soft loans from the group’s bank for projects and infrastructure development, Prensa Latina reports.
In an interview with Informe Pastrán, Gutiérrez, who is also the president of the Economy and Budget Commission of the National Assembly, said that Nicaragua aims to benefit from these funds, considering it a strategic and legitimate interest.
Gutiérrez further explained that to counter the influence of the US dollar and its associated economic pressures, Nicaragua is taking steps to cease using the Swift financial platform, which facilitates international capital movement and can be used as a tool for political rewards and punishments. Instead, they are looking to adopt Russia’s MIR platform, which successfully operates in other countries and enables transactions in national currencies.
Additionally, Gutiérrez addressed the internal challenges Nicaragua faces. He stressed that opening new and better markets alone is insufficient without simultaneously enhancing the country’s productive capacities and tools.
Moreover, Gutiérrez underscored the importance of defending peace and sovereignty. He stated, “Peace is non-negotiable, just as sovereignty is non-negotiable. Peace must be defended. Therefore, we believe that with a climate of peace, a government that opens new and better markets, and the promotion of tools to improve production, there is very good news for the Nicaraguan people.”
