Festive Season Strained by Political Repression in Nicaragua

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.

Christmas this year is filled with sorrow for many Nicaraguans, as over 900,000 people have fled the country since 2018 due to political persecution and economic turmoil. The recent reform of the Immigration and Foreigners Law by the Ortega-Murillo regime has intensified family separations, making it difficult for loved ones to reunite during the holidays. According to relatives of exiles, plans to visit family members in Costa Rica were abruptly canceled due to fears of imprisonment or being barred from re-entering Nicaragua. One anonymous family member shared their anguish, highlighting the emotional toll of such separations. The opposition group Concertación Democrática Nicaragüense Monteverde has stated that "Nicaragua is suffering the largest exodus in its history," a sentiment echoed by exiles like María Laura Alvarado who lament the absence of family gatherings during a season traditionally associated with unity and celebration. The Sandinista leadership, however, continues to promote a narrative of stability and joy during the holidays, as articulated by co-president Rosario Murillo. The stark contrast between government claims and the realities faced by Nicaraguan families underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country.

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.