problems in nicaragua today

The IACHR has also continued to monitor the situation from afar. Will stripping citizenship silence Nicaraguas critics? They have embraced elements of capitalism and benefited richly from it. Those who have abortions face prison sentences of up to two years; medical professionals who perform them can face up to six years. While the government reported over 5,000 cases and more than 140 deaths, as of September, the nongovernmental organization Covid-19 Citizen Observatory (Observatorio Ciudadano Covid-19) registered twice as many suspected cases and 2,700nearly 20 times as manysuspected deaths. It has not closed schools or ordered lockdowns or social distancing. Share this via Email There was a time when Nicaragua was a great place to take your family. She spoke through an interpreter. Video, 00:01:37Storm Julia kills dozens in Central America, Nicaragua police order five mayors to stand down, Storm Bonnie leaves deadly trail in Central America, Migrant caravan heads to US as key summit begins, Nicaragua shuts down non-profits in new crackdown, Lose your fear, dissident Nicaraguan diplomat says, Nicaragua opposition leader jailed for eight years, Nicaragua government critics 'guilty of conspiracy', Leading opposition figure dies in Nicaragua prison, From revolutionary leader to opposition hate figure, Nicaragua gets China vaccines after Taiwan split, Nicaragua cuts ties with Taiwan in favour of China, Ortega tightens grip in 'pantomime' Nicaragua vote, Longest-serving leader in the Americas stands again, Nicaragua accused of running internet troll farm, Five men deny smuggling two tonnes of cocaine, HARDtalk. In November, the US Congress passed the RENACER Act to monitor, report on, and address corruption by the Ortega government, as well as human rights abuses by Nicaraguan security forces. But they probably didnt count on Hollywood getting involved. In 2019, President Ortega promoted top officials implicated in abuses. Medical professionals who perform abortions face one to six years. Human rights defenders and other critics are targets of death threats, assaults, intimidation, harassment, surveillance, online defamation campaigns, and arbitrary detention and prosecution. During the 2018 crackdown, at least 405 doctors, nurses, and other health workers were fired from public hospitals, seemingly for providing care to protesters or criticizing the government. Again, thank you! Its safer than its neighbours, has a generally laid-back lifestyle, low cost of living, good food, and some amazing natural landscapes. Owing in part to the amnesty, no investigations or criminal proceedings were underway, at time of writing, to identify and convict those responsible for human rights violations related to the 2018 crackdown. We recommend turning right (as you face the ocean) and walking along the beach, over the rocks and onto the next beach to enjoy stunning views and clear water. Local knowledge always goes a long way, so be sure to reach out to your hosts if youre unsure about how to fill up your Nicaragua itinerary! Share this via LinkedIn The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution in March urging the government to repeal or amend legislation that undermines fundamental rights and to adopt electoral reforms to ensure free and fair elections with international oversight. Nicaragua has good cops. Their brother Pedro Joaquin Chamorro, a politician and activist, has been imprisoned. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has overseen the deepening of security ties with Managua, including the construction of a supposed Russian satellite-tracking facility in Nicaragua that analysts and others suspect may be aimed at spying on the United States. In 2019, President Ortega promoted top officials implicated in abuses. But he kept trying to regain the presidency, eventually winning in 2006. Improvised roadblocks are all over the place and can pop up sporadically. Ahora la historia es distinta Cientos de miles de nicaragenses han huido de su pas en los ltimos aos, para escapar de la pobreza y la represin de un. When Sacasa arrived, police arrested him without informing him of the charges against him and without allowing him access to a lawyer. Police abuses committed during a brutal crackdown by the National Police and armed pro-government groups in 2018 have gone unpunished. In late September, a bipartisan group of 15 U.S. senators asked the administration to exert more pressure on Nicaragua, including by expanding sanctions to Ortega as well as the ranks of the Nicaraguan military and its investment fund. Nicaragua strips 94 dissidents of citizenship, Nicaragua opposition leaders deported to US. But now, U.S. officials and prominent Nicaraguans say, they appear to be taking things to a new level, imposing a police state with the goal of bringing about dynastic rule to the country. The United States has also worked with partners to get the majority of countries in the Organization of American States to support resolutions condemning the events in Nicaragua, including one this month. express kidnappingshave been increasing recently. Franciscos son Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is a screenwriter who created Riverdale, the popular CW show adapted from the Archie comic books. Public transport in Nicaragua isnt the safest but its still more than usable many travellers do. In Nicaragua, there is a before and after 2018. There are some great hotels to stay at, homestays to enjoy, and a lot of local culture to soak up. If youre not in a hurry to get anywhere and fancy a local (if uncomfortable) experience, we sayuse them! But it is his wife who is the day-to-day face and voice of the government. Tourism still is the most important service industry in the country. 2 in 2016. The locals are welcoming, there are epic volcanoes to climb, beaches to laze on, the second largest rainforest in the Americas to explore, history abound; its a travellers paradise! Avoid the beach at night and stay away from the dark side streets. Women and girls who have abortions face prison terms as long as two years. UN calls move to strip Nicaraguan dissidents citizenship illegal, Nicaragua strips 94 political opponents of citizenship, US condemns Nicaraguas imprisonment of outspoken bishop, US top envoy calls for dialogue in rare call with Nicaragua FM, Spain offers citizenship to freed Nicaraguan political prisoners, Nicaragua frees 222 political prisoners, sends them to US, US rights groups slam Bidens unacceptable asylum restrictions, US: Advocates welcome TPS extension for citizens of six countries, US targets Nicaraguas gold sector in latest push against Ortega. We can take these actions, but really were at the mercy and the whims of an administration that is paranoid, corrupt, using terror tactics and doesnt seem to recognize any of the humanity or the human rights of the prisoners.. Moscow may be providing legal guidance to Nicaraguas ruing couple, too or at least inspiration for how to be a dictatorship. Serious violations of due process and other rights marred prosecutions. The government restricts freedom of expression for journalists and media outlets through threats, physical attacks, detentions, arbitrary financial investigations, arbitrary prosecutions, and forced closures. This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. In August, the Attorney Generals Office filed charges against most of the detainees, in criminal proceedings that lacked basic due process guarantees. A lot of accommodation in Nicaragua has been shut down and citizens have been fleeing the country. 16 Feb 2023. Fourteen were sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13851 and three pursuant the Global Magnitsky Act of 2016, which allows for sanctions against human rights violators. Not only that, Granada has also developed a pretty solid infrastructure which makes it one of the safest cities to visit in Nicaragua. Make sure your children stay away from stray animals. Biden aides say they are working with regional partners and cranking up the pressure on the regime in Managua. This is an important intelligence platform for the Russians in the Western Hemisphere, the second senior Biden administration official said of Nicaragua. The situation is getting serious in Nicaragua right now. She is the more colorful public face of their regime, and her interests over the years have reportedly included witchcraft anderotic poetry. Likewise, I observe with deep concern the recent resumption of the trials against some of these men and women in the past month at the harsh prison sentences applied to at least 34 persons without respecting due process, she expressed. But the tiny country in its own way has come to epitomize two of the key challenges that President Joe Biden says the worlds democracies cannot ignore: the rise of authoritarianism and the spread of corruption. She sends notes to people for their graduation or on a promotion. We recommend booking a taxi through your hostel. Blinken nudged his counterpart in an encounter that lasted roughly 10 minutes, a senior State Department official said. Video, 00:01:37, Storm Julia kills dozens in Central America, HARDtalk. The European Parliament, in July, condemned the Ortega governments repression of opposition groups and other opponents and called for the release of arbitrarily detained political prisoners, including presidential candidates. Today, corruption isn't nearly as prevalent within Nicaraguan security forces as it is in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, Butler and other experts said . Initially, the government encouraged large-scale public events. For solo backpackers, Nicaragua is a good choice. Inside Nicaragua, it is difficult to escape the ruling family. But U.S. lawmakers from both parties, as well as other voices, say the Biden administration must do more, quickly, to reverse the trend in Nicaragua. In July, Canada imposed targeted sanctions on 15 government officials implicated in human rights violations, for a total of 24 sanctioned. Many Nicaragua travel advisories warn against all but essential travel to Nicaragua. In July, Gerall Chvez, the co-founder of digital outlet Nicaragua Actualwho went into exile in 2018 after threats and harassment by government supportersreceived threats on Facebook, including an animation that depicted him being killed. There have been widespread protests against a corrupt government and these are sometimes met with force. Despite the loss of nearly 30,000 people who were killed in the country's civil war, and the hundreds of thousands who took refuge abroad, Nicaragua's population increased from 2.5 million to nearly 4 million during Sandinista rule (1979-90). Theres a chance it could boil over but the tourist status changes thing, as it usually does Nicaragua is mostly safe for tourists provided you understand the political situation and the volatility of it. If meat, or any food for that matter, isnt freshly cooked and especially if it. To help you out, weve listed the safest areas to visit in Nicaragua below. 25 Top Tips for Traveling Safely to Nicaragua. Even if its just a little bit, learning the local language will help you get around. The Human Rights Collective Nicaragua Nunca +, an NGO based in Costa Rica that documents human rights abuses in Nicaragua, reported that the Ortega governments sustained "persecution, harassment, and prosecution" had forced at least 100 journalists into exile, including 25 in 2021. HAVANA TIMES - The economic crisis sparked by the pandemic, plus political instability and the suspension of commercial flights, have hit Nicaragua hard. Latin America & Caribbean. The prisoners are believed to face dire conditions, with reports of freezing temperatures, lights kept on at all times and the danger posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people in close to 100 countries worldwide, spotlighting abuses and bringing perpetrators to justice, Human Rights Watch is a 501(C)(3)nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 13-2875808, Attacks on Human Rights Defenders and Independent Media, Women and Girls Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Bidens Challenge: Redeeming a US Role for Human Rights, Addressing the Climate Crisis in Times of Pandemic, From Flight Logs to Homeschooling, Human Rights Watch Grapples with Covids Challenges, As Online Gender-Based Violence Booms, Governments Drag Their Feet, The Other Pandemic: Fighting Inequality as We Beat Back Covid, Poverty, Pandemic, Police Violence: Ongoing Crises Demand the US Address Pervasive Racism. It may all look pretty good, but a rule for pretty much anywhere in the world is to go where other people are going. If you do decide to visit Nicaragua, here are some tips to help you on your way. In June, the OAS Permanent Council expressed concern that the Ortega regime had not implemented electoral reforms consistent with international standards before a deadline set for May. The information present in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing, however, the world is a changeable place, now more than ever. Despite the 2018 NICA Act that threatened to oppose loans to Nicaragua from the international financial institutions, the spigot of international aid has remained wide open. Copy. Media outlets broadcast speeches from Murillo just about every day. That is well-contemplated within the CAFTA structure.. Since taking office in 2007, the government of President Daniel Ortega has dismantled nearly all institutional checks on presidential power. In 2019, the Ortega administration released 492 people detained in the context of the 2018 protests, mostly under restrictions such as house arrest. The legislation also calls for more reports on Russian activities in Nicaragua and alleged corruption of Ortega and his family members. (Did you remember a water bottle?). That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). The video has been viewed millions of times, and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has written op-eds and taken other steps to publicize the plight of his father and the 100-plus others believed held as political prisoners. Wedged betweenCosta RicaandHonduras, Nicaragua is a good all-round destination. Trying your best to blend in, not being flashy, not shouting around in English; these things will help you live more easily in Nicaragua. Many Nicaraguans drink the tap water, but you may get Travellers Diarrhoea if you try. Ortega and his wifes regime, in the words of one U.S. official, controls all centers of power in Nicaragua including the Executive, the Legislature, the Judiciary, and the Supreme Electoral Council.. Human rights defenders and other critics are targets of death threats, intimidation, online defamation campaigns, harassment, surveillance, and assault. She said they are held in inhumane conditions, and stripped of their legal rights. That Right was conquered with blood, sweat and tears and with the memory of hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguan Sisters and Brothers, the statement declared. Managua is the capital city of the Republic of Nicaragua. Analysts, legal experts and human rights groups condemn the move, which they say violates international law. 2:08. After years of discontent with leftist authoritarian president Daniel Ortega's growing authoritarianism, peaceful anti . Police, in coordination with armed pro-government groups, brutally repressed protesters, which lefta death toll of 328 people and almost 2,000 people injured, and led to hundreds of detentions. Bachelet said human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers continue to be harassed, intimidated, and arbitrarily detained. Nicaraguas crime rate is slightly lower than Costa Rica, but the two countries are pretty much equal when it comes to safety. Make sure you have small change with you so you dont hand over stupidly large bills just to get no change back. Staying at an Airbnb during your trip will also open up new possibilities and options to experience the country. She said the report contained false information aimed at disparaging and undermining the authority, sovereignty and independence of her country. (11 Sep 1996) Spanish/Nat Prostitution has grown to become a major social problem in Nicaragua where a deep economic crisis has created severe poverty. The Ortega government has continued to bring criminal cases against protesters and critics. In fact, dont go out at night at all to add another level of security during your stay. Denial, inaction, and opacity have characterized the governments response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The newspaper La Prensa ended its print edition in August, when the Customs Authority withheld newsprint and ink supplies it had imported. They indicated they are working to coordinate more with other governments, not just those in Latin America, to support future actions against the Nicaraguan regime. Inflation (CPI): 4.9%. By Mabel Calero (La Prensa) Prices are down around 30-40% but there are still few takers. A Derailed Economy The instability has rocked Nicaragua's developing market, which is now expected to contract by 6 percent this year. In August, three employees of the El Rama mayors office filed a criminal slandercomplaint against Kala Salazar, a journalist at radio station La Costesima, after she reported on corruption. There has been some progress lately in Nicaraguas safety and political situation, but its slow going. Authorities reported 21 police officers killed in the context of demonstrations. Whats quite real is Russian influence in the country, another reason the Biden administration is increasingly worried. For those who still want to go, weve created this guide for staying safe in Nicaragua. And its perfectly safe, as long as you read the reviews. Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. However, much of this doesnt affect tourist safety in Nicaragua. As of September, the US Treasury Department had imposed targeted sanctions on 26 Nicaraguans for abuses or corruption, including 23 pursuant to Executive Order 13851 and 3 pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Act of 2016, which allows for sanctions against human rights violators. This has little to do with danger though and shouldnt stop you from visiting Nicaragua! Truth is: Nicaragua has always been an alternative destination for intrepid travellers, regardless of political situations. Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Nicaragua. However, Nicaragua was hit with renewed political trouble in 2018, and it was hit hard. Ortega served as president during the second half of the 1980s, butting heads through that decade with Reagan, who loathed the Sandinistas pro-communist views and deputized the CIA to undermine Ortegas rule by arming rebels known as the Contras. The government took no emergency measures in response to the pandemic, kept schools open, and fired doctors critical of the government who disagreed with its management of the Covid-19 response. June 22: KSTPU of M student group honored for wind turbines in Nicaragua A U of M student organization, Innovative Engineers, has received international recognition for a wind energy project in Nicaragua. Share this via Printer, As More Climate Chaos Looms, Slashing Fossil Fuels Is Key. Up to August 2020, the government fired at least 31 doctors from public hospitals in apparent retaliation for participation in protests or expression of disagreement with management of the Covid-19 response. To answer the burning question ofIs it safe to travel to Nicaragua right now, I present you this guide. Impunity for human rights violations by the police continues. On September 7, 2021, the Attorney Generals Office charged activist Amaru Ruz under the cybercrime law. But what youre essentially getting there is something that no longer really has the characteristics of anything really resembling a democracy., POLITICO requested an interview with Francisco Campbell, Nicaraguas ambassador to the United States, via email, phone calls and a written note left at the embassy in Washington. While U.S. officials suspect the ruling couple plans a dynasty, its unclear which child will be designated the first successor. Declining infant mortality and a wartime "baby boom" are possible explanations. While you still shouldnt be careless, its definitely less sketchy in Leon than elsewhere. FILE - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, Dec. 1, 2021. The HRC condemnedabuses and urged the government to resume cooperation with international human rights bodies. A brutal crackdown by the National Police and armed pro-government groups left over 300 dead and 2,000 injured in 2018, and resulted in hundreds of arbitrary arrests and prosecutions. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. You need to be careful and aware of your surroundings pretty much anywhere you go in the world, and the same goes for visiting Nicaragua. When choosing where youll be staying in Nicaragua, a bit of research and caution is essential. The government granted the mining concession without prior consultation with the community. Solo travel anywhere in the world is pretty rewarding, and its no less for travelling to Nicaragua alone. The local hosts are known to take great care of their guests and give the absolute best recommendations of what to do and what to see. There might be some dodgy people, but generally, barricaders are therefor some political cause. In November, the OAS Permanent Council condemned the elections saying they were not free, fair or transparent, and lack[ed] democratic legitimacy.. Carlos Fernando Chamorro, who is in exile in Costa Rica, said that on the surface in Nicaragua, it appears that life goes on, but thats just a faade. The law defines traitors in sweeping terms to include, for example, people who undermine independence, sovereignty and self-determination or damage the supreme interests of the nation..

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