Christmas Tragedy: Nicaraguans Face Separation Amid Political Crisis

More than 900,000 Nicaraguans have fled the country since 2018 due to political persecution and an economic crisis, leading to profound emotional distress during the holiday season, according to opposition groups. The Sandinista government’s recent amendments to the Immigration and Foreigners Law have intensified these separations by making it illegal for citizens and residents to leave or return to Nicaragua without severe penalties, including prison sentences. One family, whose member sought refuge in Costa Rica, had to cancel their planned Christmas reunion due to fears of retribution and government surveillance. Azucena Bracamonte Valle, after five years in exile, was recently denied entry into Nicaragua for alleged "treason" while in Mexico. As families face ongoing turmoil, opposition group Concertación Democrática Nicaragüense Monteverde stated, "Nicaragua is suffering the largest exodus in its history." The repeated trauma of family separation is echoed across the nation, where nearly every family has lost a member to exile. In stark contrast, Rosario Murillo, co-president of Nicaragua, recently portrayed a harmonious holiday season, prompting criticism from exiled families, who argue that the regime continues to destroy familial ties.

As Nicaraguans approach Christmas, the toll of political repression and familial separation due to government policies weighs heavily on countless families. Since 2018, more than 900,000 people have fled the country amidst an ongoing political crisis, creating a situation where almost every family in Nicaragua is affected by exile. As reported by EL PAÍS, recent reforms to the Immigration and Foreigners Law allow the Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo regime to deny entry and exit to foreign citizens, further complicating attempts for families to reunite during the holiday season. Marcos, a pseudonym for an exiled political opponent, shared with EL PAÍS that his family's planned visit to Costa Rica was derailed by the new immigration regulations, citing fears of imprisonment for attempting to travel. Similar sentiments were echoed by Azucena Bracamonte Valle, who faced denial of entry back into Nicaragua after a stopover in Mexico. Opposition group Concertación Democrática Nicaragüense Monteverde describes the current exodus as the largest in Nicaragua's history, highlighting that amid these struggles, the Christmas gatherings they once cherished are now overshadowed by separation and state repression.

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.