Christmas Traumas: Nicaraguans Face Family Separation Amid Ongoing Crisis

NINicaragua|

This Christmas, many Nicaraguans are grappling with the pain of separation from loved ones, exacerbated by a recent immigration reform approved by the government of President Daniel Ortega. Since 2018, over 900,000 people have fled Nicaragua due to political persecution and economic instability, leaving nearly every family estranged from at least one member.

The Ortega regime's new law essentially criminalizes the movement of foreign citizens and residents, increasing the challenges faced by families attempting to reunite. A member of the Marcos family, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their disrupted plans to reunite with a relative in Costa Rica, which were thwarted by fears of imprisonment upon returning to Nicaragua. "The risk went through the roof," they stated, as they abandoned plans that had already been set in motion.

Another poignant story is that of Azucena Bracamonte Valle, a nun barred entry upon her return from Rome, accused of “treason.” The continuous enforcement of such policies creates a suffocating atmosphere for those still in Nicaragua, as many holiday gatherings are disrupted and cherished traditions shattered.

The opposition group, Concertación Democrática Nicaragüense Monteverde (CDN), is raising awareness of these issues through a campaign titled "Every Life Tells Us a Story," highlighting the intimate dramas caused by family separation under the regime. Members express that December, typically associated with family togetherness, has become a reminder of loss and grief, especially this year with over 40 political prisoners still behind bars.

While the government publicly promotes a narrative of peace and family unity, opposition voices, including former political prisoner Juan Sebastián Chamorro, argue that the reality for many Nicaraguans is one of pain and division. As families face another holiday season apart, the emotional toll of the ongoing repression remains a stark reminder of the human costs of political oppression.

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