A few months ago I wrote an article about protests in Nicaragua that resulted from the country’s disillusionment of the government. Six months later and protests have decreased, but not because things have been resolved but because the government continues to repress any opposition. It all began in April of 2018, when protests against the Nicaraguan government spurred around the country. The protests were initially sparked by individuals who were angry at Ortega’s (Nicaragua’s president) social security reform. However, outrage at the government began before, when environmentalists, students, and others worried about the government’s lack of action toward forest fires in southern parts of Nicaragua. Consequently, Nicaraguans took to the streets to practice their rights to political freedom and to assemble peacefully.
Protesters were met with empty promises of round tables and open discussions that presented a false sense of hope. When individuals take part in a protest, or even if they are just standing outside their home to see what’s going on, they run the risk of becoming a target: over three hundred people have been killed by government officials and police officers. Males, especially young adults, are at risk everyday of being falsely accused and taken to prison or killed on the spot. Being taken to prison often means being brutally beaten and tortured. Moreover, government officials constantly hack into phones and personal electronics in order to catch any one who may have an opposing opinion. As a result, hundreds are fleeing to nearby countries like Costa Rica in hopes of fleeing persecution. For months now, the Nicaraguan people have be suffering alone as (some) countries publicly condemn the behavior of Ortega and his supporters but do nothing to help. The same applies to international organizations such as the United Nations as well as the Organization of American States. Lastly, as big as the issue is, the media fails to give it the attention it deserves.
Photo Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-nicaragua-ortega-deadl…