Argentina and Mexico have recalled their ambassador to Nicaragua following the latest in a series of high-profile political arrests.
A joint statement said the envoy would return to their capitals for talks about the Nicaraguan government’s “worrying” actions recently.
It came after another potential presidential candidate was detained.
Journalist Miguel Mora was held under Nicaragua’s controversial “treason” law.
He is the fifth presidential hopeful to be arrested in the past three weeks.
The wave of detentions comes five months before elections in which President Daniel Ortega is expected to run for a fourth consecutive term.
Recent actions taken by Nicaragua’s government “have put the integrity and freedom of various opposition figures (including presidential candidates), activists and Nicaraguan businessmen at risk,” said Argentina and Mexico in a joint statement.
Both countries would continue to “promote the full respect” of human rights and civil and political freedoms, it added.
The recent wave of arrests has led to condemnation both within Nicaragua and abroad. Regional body the Organisation of American States has demanded that all the presidential hopefuls and political prisoners be released.
