In the report submitted Monday, she expressed concern by the continued failure to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed since April 2018. Authorities have covered up suspected Covid-19 deaths, according to media, describing them as atypical pneumonia and sending health officials and police to conduct express burials of victims. Prosecutors opened investigations against most on alleged treason charges. Many were subjected to torture and ill-treatment including electric shocks, severe beatings, fingernail removal, asphyxiation, and rape. As the crackdown intensified, some individuals responded violently. Share this via Facebook Will stripping citizenship silence Nicaraguas critics? Persistent problems include severe restrictions on freedom of expression and association, political discrimination, and stringent restrictions on abortion. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. 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.. She urged the government to repeal a series of legislation passed since then, which unduly restricted the civic and democratic space in which people can operate. Youll need: The country has seen better days, but its attitude towards the family is still as strong as ever. No one is targeting tourists (aside from the pickpockets) here. One person the regime detained this past summer is Francisco Aguirre-Sacasa, a 77-year-old former Nicaraguan foreign minister who has criticized Ortega and Murillo. It may all look pretty good, but a rule for pretty much anywhere in the world is to go where other people are going. To help you out, weve listed a couple of no-go or caution areas below: Its important to know that Nicaragua is definitely not a super safe place, so a bit of caution and research before you start your travels will go a long way. In October 2020, Congress passed a foreign agents bill, proposed by Ortega, that could be used to further suppress dissent. In August, police summoned Francisco Aguirre Sacasa, a government critic and former foreign minister, to a police station. New rules allowing US to turn more people away at border with Mexico ignore rights of asylum seekers, advocates say. Charges, carrying prison sentences of 15 to 25 years, ranged from money laundering to, most commonly, conspiracy to undermine national integrity. Prosecutors failed to identify specific acts by the defendants to support the charges in at least 14 cases. Recently, the two countries inked an international information security agreement. As of September 2020, OHCHR estimated that 94 perceived critics remained incarcerated. The workforce has shrunk by 10 percent, and panicky. By Mabel Calero (La Prensa) Prices are down around 30-40% but there are still few takers. You can tariff them, argued Carlos Trujillo, who served as U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States during the Trump years. Its still the safest way to get around at night time for that matter. Their vision of themselves is they were chosen by God to administer this small country, the second senior administration official said, adding, this place is magical realism, absolutely, a reference to a style of writing common in venerated works of Latin American fiction. Before it was a hybrid type of regime where there were elements of democracy, such as opposition candidates being allowed to run for the presidency, the senior official said. This map is an approximation of actual country borders. These can be very sketchy and downright dangerous. With the hope that Nicaragua can once again return to the peaceful place it was, here are some safe travel tips for Nicaragua. She is the more colorful public face of their regime, and her interests over the years have reportedly included witchcraft anderotic poetry. 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.. . 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. National Police and the Public Prosecutors Office later raided its facilities, seizing items and arresting the newspapers general manager. That Right was conquered with blood, sweat and tears. This though is only the underbelly of the problem that there's not enough investment capital in Nicaragua to start businesses that create jobs. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. In May 2021, the National Assembly approved a legal reform consolidating government control of the electoral process. Official taxis in Nicaragua have a red border around a white license plate. That could exacerbate the migration challenges facing the United States and neighboring countries. The regime is essentially a kleptocracy, and the corruption is so widespread its difficult to fully map, U.S. officials and analysts said. It was once a huge boon for the local economy, as poverty was stymied and jobs were created thanks to tourists. Bachelet noted at least 43 people arrested in the context of last Novembers presidential elections remain detained. Compared to regional peers, the economic impact of the pandemic was limited due to mild containment measures. Murillo already was a powerful first lady and the government spokesperson before Ortega put her on the ballot as his No. 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. The ban forces women and girls confronting unwanted pregnancies to seek illegal and unsafe abortions, risking their health and lives. Thats in part because the president, his wife and their children hold financial stakes in so much of the economy. Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvadors vote changes this year reflect relations with world superpowers, analysts say. Make sure your children stay away from stray animals. But the countrys democracy has been eroding for quite some time, thanks largely to the machinations of Ortega and Murillo. 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. Denial, inaction, and opacity have characterized the governments response to the Covid-19 pandemic. If they seem like a good sort, use them regularly. Ortegas wife is, by most accounts, highly influential and in charge of many day-to-day decisions. Many governments from the region and Europe said the elections had not met minimum guarantees to be considered free and fair. For any backpacker travelling through Nicaragua, you will find yourself in Granada at some point. Managua Augusto Sandino Airport is still receiving international flights. In general, you should be fine eating your way around Nicaragua especially if youve just come from somewhere else in Latin America. Share this via Email Its been Kafka-esque, he told POLITICO in a phone interview. Declining infant mortality and a wartime "baby boom" are possible explanations. | Getty Images. From April 2018 through June 2021, more than 110,000 people fled Nicaragua, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees reported. Video, 00:01:37, Storm Julia kills dozens in Central America, HARDtalk. Welcome to Mama Daina [[+27-79-78-62-372]] in South Africa the only one who heals and solves all failed /unfinished problems from other healers & sangomas. Even if its just a little bit, learning the local language will help you get around. Media outlets broadcast speeches from Murillo just about every day. Unfortunately, there are not an incredible amount of options, but the ones you are getting are pretty safe. Since February, an amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure has allowed prosecutors to request detentions of up to 90 days without charge; in most cases involving critics, courts have permitted them. EU declares Nicaraguan envoy persona non grata as tensions rise, Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. Those who have abortions face prison sentences of up to two years; medical professionals who perform them can face up to six years. Authorities reported 21 police officers killed in the context of demonstrations. Since taking office in 2007, the government of President Daniel Ortega has dismantled nearly all institutional checks on presidential power. Just dont take your eyes off your bag, and be sure to watch your pockets. Ortega and Murillo may not be surprised that theyve angered people in Washington. While they may not be ideal to use, they are, unfortunately, your only option at times. Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. Nicaragua's government has not implemented any social distancing measures. A constitutional amendment approved by President Ortegas party, which controls the National Assembly, abolished term limits in 2014. Nicaragua strips 94 political opponents of citizenship Analysts, legal experts and human rights groups condemn the move, which they say violates international law. They have embraced elements of capitalism and benefited richly from it. Their trip may be somewhat hampered but that doesnt mean their life will be in danger or that they wont have the time of their life! But he kept trying to regain the presidency, eventually winning in 2006. 2023 BBC. In addition to the 39 detentions carried out since late May 2021, Nicaraguan rights groups reported that over 100 perceived critics detained earlier remained under custody as of October. The ruling couple have had a mixed, troubled relationship with the Catholic Church, but their commentary is often infused with references to God and religion. The Department has determined the risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by the Government of Nicaragua exists. In October 2020, the Organization of American States General Assembly passed a resolution setting May 2021 as the deadline for the Ortega government to implement electoral reforms necessary to guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections in November 2021. A Grayl Geopress would also be a great investment as these are quite effective in the field. The governments response to Covid-19 included denying its impact and failing to implement measures recommended by global health experts. The main concern youll have here is petty theft and pickpocketing. Even if the United States doesnt squeeze the Nicaraguan economy, more of its citizens are likely to leave anyway, some analysts said. The ruling family colorful, corrupt and ruthless has embraced the Kremlin and crushed what remains of the countrys democratic opposition. If youre not going to participate in protests or go near to cities, its more than reasonable to visit Nicaragua. In fact, the United States relationship with Nicaragua almost immediately turned much, much worse. Detention and Prosecution of Critics. If Novembers election goes the way Ortega and Murillo have scripted it, it could also deepen the hemispheres migration crisis. 25 Top Tips for Traveling Safely to Nicaragua. Police, in coordination with armed pro-government groups, brutally repressed massive anti-government protests in 2018, leaving at least 328 dead, some 2,000 injured, and hundreds detained. Not only that, but corrupt police might pull you over for a bribe. This picturesque lakeside town boasts charming cobblestone streets, friendly locals, brooding nearby volcanoes, and the beautiful yellow cathedral smack dab in the middle. For those who are ready to re-enter the ring and travel to Nicaragua as a solo female traveller, here are a few pointers to bear in mind. At least 16 journalists have been summoned as witnesses in a money laundering investigation into Cristiana Chamorro, a detained presidential candidate who, until its closure, headed an NGO dedicated to press freedom. Some remain in the country, facing threats, and others have fled. Managua is the capital city of the Republic of Nicaragua. On the sidelines of an international gathering in Costa Rica earlier this year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken tried to make headway with the foreign minister of a government that is increasingly dictatorial and hostile to the United States. Its basically become a dictatorship because of the jailing of political opposition and stomping out of any political other side, said Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas). Share this via Twitter Its been surreal. With tourism on the rise in recent years, a boatload of hostels have sprung up all across the city and there are many eco-lodges on the small islands across the lake. Spanish, Indigenous, and Creole flavours mix in a tantalisingly tasty cuisine offering in Nicaragua. 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. Usually, these start with a stranger asking if you need a taxi and end with you being forced to an ATM instead. At the end of the day, I wouldnt say living in Nicaragua is safe but you may be of a different mind. In August, the EU imposed targeted sanctions on eight more Nicaraguans accused of serious human rights violations and undermining democracy, including Vice President Rosario Murillo, for a total of 14 Nicaraguans sanctioned since 2020. 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. Thousands more live in Mexico, Panama, Europe, and the United States. Share this via LinkedIn A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. Theyve been in the agreement for a long time. WHO Region: Region of the Americas. The Ortega. In 2020 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved an emergency $185 million loan to Nicaragua while the Inter-American Development Bank threw in another $43 million. In August, the Attorney Generals Office filed charges against most of the detainees, in criminal proceedings that lacked basic due process guarantees. According to Human Rights Watch, theres evidence that prisoners are denied sufficient food and endure abusive interrogations while facing bogus charges. The legislation also calls for more reports on Russian activities in Nicaragua and alleged corruption of Ortega and his family members. UN: Growing Repression in Nicaragua Spurring Political, Social and Human Rights Crisis. Its just that easy. In the past, Nicaragua has been a popular place for solo female travellers. In October, a pro-government group attacked and gravely injured journalist Vernica Chvez, from the news outlet 100% Noticias, in Masaya as she was leaving a meeting with the opposition. Following a two-year recession brought on by the sociopolitical crisis of 2018, the country suffered further declines in economic activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic and two major hurricanes in 2020. Denial, inaction, and opacity have characterized the governments response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Lock the doors when you get in and hide your luggage. Family-based tourism in Nicaragua is still safe and mostly intact. Peaceful protests turned violent with at least 25 killed by the hands of government police and military, including a reporter named ngel Gahona who was shot and killed during a Facebook live broadcast on Saturday. When theres a big confrontation the internet gets shut off, the roads are blocked, and the paramilitary presence increases greatly. Granted, things are always up in the air shit could hit the fan again or it could all calm down (which we hope it does). Leon is a little bit more laid back than other cities in Nicaragua, which also shows in the safety statistics. In March, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported neighboring Costa Rica hosting some 77,000 Nicaraguan refugees and asylum seekers. Living in Nicaragua has its pros and cons. While most fleeing Nicaraguans have gone to Costa Rica, thousands have gone to Mexico, Panama, Europe, and the United States. Given all the recent reports, it's no wonder so many ask if Nicaragua is safe. Nicaraguas Attorney General Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina assailed the veracity of the report. Combine peoples political frustrations with worsening economics, and more Nicaraguans may decide to flee. 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