NICARAGUA warned today of an attack on its people as the US imposed harsh economic sanctions in its latest attempt to oust the democratically elected Sandinista government.

The US senate voted on Tuesday to approve the passing of the controversial Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act (NICA), which allows Washington to veto loans to Nicaragua from international financial institutions that are entirely used for development of the country.

US President Donald Trump also signed an executive order imposing sanctions on Nicaraguan Vice-President Rosario Murillo and presidential security adviser Nestor Moncada Lau, claiming that Nicaragua “constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.”

The developments follow US national security adviser John Bolton’s announcement earlier this month that Washington would increase pressure on Nicaragua, which he described as part of Latin America’s “troika of tyranny” along with Cuba and Venezuela.

Washington has sought to undermine socialist and progressive governments in the region, backing violent opposition groups in Venezuela and Nicaragua while imposing a harsh 60-year economic blockade against Cuba.

After the latest “soft coup” intervention, the Sandinista government warned that “the imperial eagle is attacking the people of Nicaragua.

“We categorically reject the historical continuity of the interference and the interventionist policy of US imperial power against Nicaragua.

“We declare all accusations that ratify the imperialist perspectives and practices of the United States of America as inadmissible, disrespectful, false and illegitimate,” a government statement proclaimed.

NICA seeks to sanction governments that offer support to President Ortega and dictates a series of US-backed political reforms.

Earlier this year, Nicaragua faced a violent attempt to overthrow the government after armed right-wing militias staged an insurgency, with road blocks established to disrupt the Nicaraguan economy.