In Nicaragua, a determined and autocratic President Daniel Ortega has weakened Nicaraguan institutions to extend his grip on power. He has manipulated elections, corrupted the courts and threatened opposition members with mob violence.

Together, his efforts allowed him to illegally campaign for re-election, steal an election in November and made his inauguration on Tuesday possible. It is deplorable that the Obama administration has callously watched from the sidelines and refused to condemn this assault on democracy and the basic human rights of the Nicaraguan people.

For three years, the Obama administration’s policy toward Latin America as a whole has been defined by complacency and the alienation of our allies. It has been silent and shied away from defending our interests as the region’s tyrants run amok, as Nicaragua shows. And when the United States should unmistakably align itself on the side of freedom and constitutional order, the sdministration has been missing in action as it is doing today in Nicaragua.

This administration needs to fundamentally reconsider its approach to Latin America and outline a plan to steer U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere towards renewing America’s commitment to promoting the rule of law, democratic values and free markets. It can start with Nicaragua.

The administration should clearly condemn the November 2011 reelection of Daniel Ortega as fraudulent. It should also consider the following measures: revoking the U.S. visas of Nicaraguan officials and individuals involved in facilitating the erosion of constitutional and democratic rule in Nicaragua; opposing loans from multilateral financial institutions to Nicaragua; and working with our partners at the Organization of American States to address this problem and ultimately condition Nicaragua’s membership in the organization on its government’s adoption of meaningful steps to restore democracy and the rule of law, in accordance with the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

Unfortunately, the administration has failed to act with respect to Ortega’s interruption of constitutional order in Nicaragua. When America fails to be an unequivocal voice for democratic values and the rule of law in places like Nicaragua, our adversaries are emboldened to exploit the opportunity. One needs to look no further than the Ortega inauguration, where Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be a guest of honor to celebrate another successful assault against democracy that took place while the United States stood by silently — the same way it happened on Obama’s watch when this Iranian tyrant stole his own election in 2009.

Today, because of decisions made by this president and his administration, freedom fighters throughout Latin America and around the world wonder if the United States will stand with them as tirelessly as we should. Our long-time friends question our resolve and commitment to their security and emerging prosperity. And both our adversaries and competitors are exploiting opportunities stemming from the president’s failed leadership in the region.

America’s role as a voice for the oppressed and as a defender of human rights should never be underestimated, and we should always live up to this responsibility. The assault on democracy in Nicaragua should never be tolerated anywhere, but especially not in our own hemisphere.

It’s long past time that the United States deliver a clear message that Daniel Ortega and his cronies will pay a price for their power grab and disregard for the basic freedoms of the Nicaraguan people.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fl., is a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.