Christmas Separated by Politics: The Struggles of Nicaraguan Families

In Nicaragua, over 900,000 people have left the country since 2018 due to political persecution and economic crises. With a population of just over six million, nearly every family is affected by the absence of a loved one, especially during the holiday season. Recent changes to the Immigration and Foreigners Law have intensified these separations. Families had planned holiday trips to reunite with exiled relatives in neighboring countries, but the law now imposes severe penalties for attempting to leave Nicaragua. One family, planning to visit a relative in Costa Rica, abandoned their trip after the Ortega-Murillo regime's immigration reforms raised the risks of imprisonment and fines for activists. This year, many families are also mourning the inability to reunite due to tightened border controls and significant surveillance at crossing points like Peñas Blancas. Testimonies highlight that for many Nicaraguans in exile, Christmas gatherings are overshadowed by the emotional distress of separation from family members who can face arbitrary detention or bans from re-entering the country. Opposition groups report that the current political climate has exacerbated the trauma of family separation, with the campaign “Every life tells us a story” aimed at increasing visibility about this issue. The situation is particularly painful for young Nicaraguans who, like María Laura Alvarado in Costa Rica, reflect on lost traditions and disrupted family gatherings due to an oppressive regime. Former political prisoners echo these sentiments of loss and insist on the need for a future built on hope and unity for all Nicaraguans. Meanwhile, the Ortega-Murillo administration continues to downplay the crisis, presenting a contrasting narrative about stability and family unity during the festive season.

As Christmas approaches, the emotional toll of political exile becomes painfully evident for many Nicaraguan families. More than 900,000 Nicaraguans have fled the country since 2018 due to political persecution and economic hardship, leaving countless families divided. The government of President Daniel Ortega recently implemented stringent changes to the Immigration and Foreigners Law, effectively sealing off the country for those wishing to reconnect with loved ones abroad. Families, such as that of an opponent known as Marcos, planned to reunite in Costa Rica for the holidays. However, after learning about the new regulations—which impose severe penalties for attempting to leave Nicaragua—those plans were dashed. "The grief really affects us emotionally," said a family member, lamenting the nearly two and a half years they have been apart. The widespread impact of this migration crisis is reflected in individual stories, including that of a nun who was denied entry back to Nicaragua during a layover in Mexico, labeled as a traitor by authorities. Opposition group Concertación Democrática Nicaragüense (CDN) highlighted that almost every family is touched by this exodus, as they launched the campaign “Every life tells us a story” to share experiences of separation and loss during this festive season. Meanwhile, Ortega's administration continues to dismiss claims of repression, with co-president Rosario Murillo portraying a narrative of national unity and peace. However, exiled Nicaraguans assert that the regime's actions foster a climate of fear and division, leaving many to endure another holiday apart from loved ones. In a country of over six million, the emotional scars of separation resonate deeply, hindering the joy typically associated with family gatherings during Christmas.

As Christmas approaches, many families in Nicaragua face heartbreak due to enforced separation caused by a repressive regime. Since 2018, over 900,000 Nicaraguans have fled the country, escaping political persecution and economic hardship. The situation worsened following the recent approval of a law that restricts the movement of foreign citizens and residents. The Sandinista government's new Immigration and Foreigners Law increases penalties for those deemed to undermine national integrity, leading to fears that attempts to reunite with loved ones in exile could result in imprisonment. Marcos, an anonymous relative of an exile, expressed sadness about the canceled Christmas trip to Costa Rica to see his family member, who has been away for two and a half years. Similarly, sister Azucena Bracamonte Valle was denied entry to Nicaragua from Mexico, labeled a traitor by immigration authorities despite intending to spend the holidays with her family. Opposition groups highlight that this separation is part of the broader issue of family fragmentation due to political repression, underscoring the emotional toll on Nicaraguans during festive seasons. Juan Sebastián Chamorro, a former political prisoner, stated that the holidays serve as a painful reminder of the distance and loss inflicted by the Ortega-Murillo regime. In contrast, government officials continue to portray a narrative of peace and stability during the holiday season, reinforcing the disconnect between their claims and the reality faced by many families.