Trying your best to blend in, not being flashy, not shouting around in English; these things will help you live more easily in Nicaragua. MANAGUA, Nicaragua Nicaragua's authoritarian government has stripped several universities of their permission to operate in what analysts called a sweeping attack on higher education and an. Serious violations of due process and other rights marred prosecutions. That is well-contemplated within the CAFTA structure.. Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. The ban forces women and girls confronting unwanted pregnancies to seek illegal and unsafe abortions, risking their health and lives. Amid political unrest that led to 300 deaths and more than 2,000 injured people, several nongovernmental organizations, students and academic. Neighbouring Central American countries, Costa RicaandHonduras,were always the more touristy options and Nicaragua has always been the odd man out. The pandemic has already reduced remittances, trade and tourism. Not only that but you can watch sea turtles nesting, play around in the surf, and/or visit indigenous peoples. Blinken nudged his counterpart in an encounter that lasted roughly 10 minutes, a senior State Department official said. Blinkens diplomatic foray didnt turn out the way hed hoped. REI members are swimming in discounts what about YOU? 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. Make sure your children stay away from stray animals. 16 Feb 2023. In April, police arrested at least fiveand injured two demonstrators commemorating the 2018 protests in Esquipulas, Moyogalpa. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. After the National Assembly, which is allied with Ortega, appointed new Supreme Electoral Council members in May, the Council stripped legal registration from the main opposition parties. But its pretty damn special too. Share this via Reddit And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. The report documents many actions by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortegas government aimed at controlling and prosecuting dissidents and political opponents. Storm Julia kills dozens in Central America. If you dont fancy sharing, make sure you agree on a solo journey and agree on the price before you get in. 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. San Juan del Sur is overall safe, especially during the day. There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. In March, police attacked and detained demonstrators requesting release of political prisoners, media reported, and police and unidentified assailants attacked journalists. Why did Central America shift UN votes on Russia-Ukraine war? She is the more colorful public face of their regime, and her interests over the years have reportedly included witchcraft anderotic poetry. A broad amnesty that released many protestors in 2019 has contributed to immunity from prosecution for those responsible for human rights violations related to the crackdown. A Grayl Geopress would also be a great investment as these are quite effective in the field. In September 2019, OHCHR released a comprehensive report on Nicaraguas human rights record from August 2018 to July 2019, urging the government to guarantee civil society freedoms; reinstate shuttered NGOs and media outlets; investigate and prosecute rights abuses in the context of protests; and end arbitrary arrests, among othermeasures. These can be very sketchy and downright dangerous. The media control ensures a steady stream of pro-regime propaganda. You can also expect quite a few stares and maybe one or two rude comments. Copy. But the foreign minister was non-committal, at best, when he wasnt sticking to meaningless talking points. If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. 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. Many had been held for over a year, under abusive conditions. Authorities reported that 21 police officers allegedly died in the context of demonstrations between April and September. Its just that easy. (Insider Tips), https://www.facebook.com/gratefulgypsies/, https://www.instagram.com/gratefulgypsies/, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn5T0r4o5KV4qoyQyR7Buww, https://www.pinterest.com/gratefulgypsies/, Traveller, teacher, writer, and bonafide music lover, Rachel Lee is a Tennessee-born human with a passion for movement. Make sure to check out the stunning cathedral in the main square, for just a dollar you can get right up on top of the whitewashed roof where you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the city. WHO Region: Region of the Americas. 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. People have their so-called normal lives under this police state, under a state of repression, he said in a phone interview. Persistent problems include severe restrictions on freedom of expression and association, political discrimination, and stringent restrictions on abortion. This beach is however normally pretty busy and the food is very expensive. 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. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). So whether or not you want to listen to these warnings is up to you. Youre connected. People cannot express themselves., A second senior Biden administration official described the situation as feeling like the walls are closing in and space is being closed off. The official added, I get the sense that a lot of Nicaraguans have sort of lost hope for the medium term., Almost from the start of Bidens tenure, his administration has denounced or otherwise made moves against Nicaragua. The lawrequires manypeople and groups that receive direct or indirect funding from abroad to register as foreign agents and bars them from intervening in matters of internal politics. The lawcould impact journalists, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and political opponents. Just months before seeking re-election, Nicaragua's president, Daniel Ortega, has brought his country a step away from becoming a one-party state, clamping down on the opposition to an extent not. With Autocrats on the Defensive, Can Democrats Rise to the Occasion. express kidnappingshave been increasing recently. Keep in mind that its a pretty conservative country, so be aware of the culture and religion is a must. Tourism still is the most important service industry in the country. No other international monitoring bodies have been allowed since the 2018 expulsions. When theres a big confrontation the internet gets shut off, the roads are blocked, and the paramilitary presence increases greatly. You may be having a good time and the drinks may be flowing, If you want to learn more about local women and their lives, you can always. In October, Congress passed two bills, proposed by President Ortega, that could seriously undermine freedom of association and free speech. They understand that their legitimacy is in question here., effectively wiping away any real competition, levying economic sanctions on several Nicaraguans, Biden urged to focus on long-neglected Latin America as chaos erupts, theres been a notable rise in the number, accusing Ortega of sexual abuse years ago, a supposed Russian satellite-tracking facility. In March 2020, Melvin Alberto Urbina Saavedra died after police beat him in detention, his family reported to the Nicaraguan Human Rights Center (CENIDH), an NGO. She knows everybodys name. Global freedom recession may be bottoming out: Freedom House, UN experts accuse Nicaragua government of crimes against humanity. Most travelers backpacking Nicaragua want to have a crack at surfing and this is one of the best places to learn. Nicaragua also is unlikely to get invited to Bidens Summit for Democracy, a much-hyped gathering whose initial, virtual session is planned for December. The water in Nicaragua is allegedly potable and safe to drink. To pave the way for his re-election, authorities arbitrarily arrested and prosecuted government critics and political opponents, including presidential candidates, journalists, lawyers, and leaders of community, business, and student groups. The Electoral Council, stacked with his supporters, has barred opposition political parties and removed opposition lawmakers. As of October 2021, just over 8 percent of the population was fully vaccinated. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Backpacking in Nicaragua has always been very popular. Most people can still visit Nicaragua without getting robbed they just have to be more cautious than usual. 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! They have also been deprived of any contact or communication with their children who are minors. Before the unrest this year it was a fantastic (and inexpensive) family-friendly holiday destination. Combine peoples political frustrations with worsening economics, and more Nicaraguans may decide to flee. Both OHCHR and the IACHR point to a larger, persistent failure of the Nicaraguan government to title and protect Indigenous territories from invasions. Its safer than its neighbours, has a generally laid-back lifestyle, low cost of living, good food, and some amazing natural landscapes. Using a taxi is likely unavoidable though and, chances are, youll have to take one at some point in Nicaragua. Now? 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. There has been some progress lately in Nicaraguas safety and political situation, but its slow going. Instead, buy an eSIM! You should be able to see the drivers company name, and the license plate itself should be clear, too. Of the 26, 6 were also sanctioned pursuant to the Nicaraguan Human Rights and Corruption Act of 2018. The regime is very paranoid, theyre very erratic, said Berg, the CSIS senior fellow. In August, the Attorney Generals Office filed charges against most of the detainees, in criminal proceedings that lacked basic due process guarantees. You know the ones. Improvised roadblocks are all over the place and can pop up sporadically. Share this via WhatsApp Nicaragua has been locked in a turbulent political crisis since April 2018. Usually, these start with a stranger asking if you need a taxi and end with you being forced to an ATM instead. Costa Rica sees more tourists than Nicaragua which means there are more attractions and facilities that accommodate visitors, but Nicaraguas untouched nature is far more impressive than Costa Ricas. Many Nicaraguans drink the tap water, but you may get Travellers Diarrhoea if you try. Unfortunately, there are not an incredible amount of options, but the ones you are getting are pretty safe. 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