Nicaraguan Families Face Heartbreak and Separation This Holiday Season

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.

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.

This Christmas, many Nicaraguan families find themselves grappling with separation and loss due to recent immigration reforms enacted by the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. Since 2018, over 900,000 Nicaraguans have fled the country, seeking refuge from political persecution and economic crisis. As the festive season approaches, the emotional pain of family separation is heightened, with almost every family affected by the ongoing exodus. The recent amendments to the Immigration and Foreigners Law, which include severe penalties for individuals attempting to leave or enter Nicaragua without state approval, have intensified the situation. Families like that of an anonymous individual referred to as Marcos faced the heartbreak of abandoning plans to visit relatives living in exile due to fears of imprisonment or increased surveillance at borders. The impact of these policies reaches beyond immediate family members. The organization Concertación Democrática Nicaragüense Monteverde (CDN) highlights that Christmas traditions have been disrupted, with gatherings and reunions thwarted by government repression. Thousands of families are unable to spend the holidays together, as evidenced by the story of nun Azucena Bracamonte Valle, who was denied re-entry into Nicaragua after a trip abroad. Opposition leaders are raising awareness of this ongoing crisis through campaigns that document the stories of those affected by political exile and family separation. As the Ortega-Murillo regime continues to suppress dissent, many Nicaraguans are left hoping for a future marked by peace and reunion.