Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega told the press Tuesday that he skipped the Central American Integration System (SICA) meeting this week because it was designed and promoted by the United States.

He questioned why the U.S. has not closed its military base in Palmerola, Honduras, which he said was instrumental in the coup that ousted then-President Manuel Zelaya last year.

He called the effort to reintegrate Honduras into the regional organization “ridiculous” and harmful to the unity of Central America.

“Some governments, not their people, have said nonchalantly that they have decided to reintegrate Honduras into the Central American Integration System, which is absurd and ridiculous because this organization has rules, and according to them, there needs to be a consensus, unanimity,” Ortega said.