Families Divided: Nicaraguans Face Heartbreaking Christmas Separations Due to Political Repression

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As Christmas approaches, Nicaraguan families are grappling with the emotional toll of separation caused by a regime that has led to an unprecedented exodus. Since 2018, over 900,000 Nicaraguans have left the country, fleeing political persecution and economic crises. In a nation of just over six million residents, nearly every family is affected, as many have loved ones who are in exile or missing.

Recent legislative changes have intensified these separations. The Sandinista government led by President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo recently reformed the Immigration and Foreigners Law, effectively criminalizing the ability of residents to leave Nicaragua. This move has left families fearful of imprisonment and restricted in their reunification plans.

One family, whose relative is living in exile in Costa Rica, was forced to abandon their Christmas trip due to the new reforms. The family had made plans to secretly reunite, but the regime's tightening grip and the threat of heavy penalties deterred them.

The case of Azucena Bracamonte Valle, a nun who was denied entry back to Nicaragua while trying to visit her family after years in Rome, further underscores the government's harsh policies. Bracamonte was barred from return under accusations of "treason," indicative of the regime's intolerance towards dissent and opposition.

Opposition groups like the Concertación Democrática Nicaragüense have started campaigns to raise awareness of the plight faced by many Nicaraguans during this festive season, emphasizing the emotional scars left by enforced separations. They highlight a significant decline in holiday gatherings due to the ongoing repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime.

As families reflect on their losses this holiday season, many are calling for change, with leaders urging a focus on building a future for Nicaragua rooted in reunion and hope. However, the government maintains a contrasting narrative, presenting a message of peace and unity that many dissenters view as disingenuous.

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