Christmas Traumas: Nicaraguans Face Family Separation Amid Ongoing Crisis

NI
Published:

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.

Weekly Newsletter

News summary by melangenews

Loading...

More from Nicaragua

Nicaraguan Families Face Emotional Strain as Christmas Reinforces Separation

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.
NI

Nicaraguan Families Face Heartbreak and Separation This Holiday 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.
NI

Christmas Brings Heartache for Exiled Nicaraguans Amid Strict Immigration Laws

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.
NI
All Nicaragua News ->