Holiday Heartbreak: Nicaraguans Separated by Dictatorship Face a Somber Christmas

NINicaragua|

As Nicaragua endures its ongoing political crisis, this Christmas season brings heightened sorrow for families separated by government repression. Since 2018, more than 900,000 people have fled the country due to political persecution and economic collapse, leaving almost every family affected by the exile or disappearance of a loved one.

A recent immigration reform established by President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo prohibits foreign citizens and residents from entering and exiting Nicaragua, elevating the risk for families attempting to reunite. Among them is a family whose plans to visit a relative in Costa Rica were thwarted by the new law, which threatens long prison sentences for those who defy it. The emotional toll of separation is profound; one family member lamented the loss of family connections during the festive season, a time traditionally associated with togetherness and celebration.

The opposition group, Concertación Democrática Nicaragüense Monteverde, highlights these stories through their campaign "Every life tells us a story," aiming to shed light on the profound impact of family separations during a time meant for reunion. Despite the challenges faced, members remain hopeful for a future of joy and unity, emphasizing that over six million Nicaraguans share in the heavy burden of family separation.

In contrast, Murillo continues to promote a narrative of peace and stability in her public addresses, prompting criticism from dissidents who accuse her and Ortega of exacerbating the suffering of Nicaraguan families. As Christmas approaches, the sentiment among exiles and politically oppressed individuals remains one of grief and longing for a return to togetherness.

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