Finally, on Sunday on the PBS News Hour, they interviewed an expert on these so-called “Banana Republics”. Lucia Dammert, a Peruvian academic who has studied political unrest and security across Latin America, talked about what WE, ourselves, have seen over and over in Central America, watching the politics in Nicaragua since the 1980s and living here for the last 27 years.
“…in most cases, when we had coup d’etats, the American embassy was involved in some of those situations,” Dammert said.
A U.S. State Department paper, Responsive Assistance in Nicaragua (RAIN), was leaked last year, detailing how the U.S. plans for involving itself in this year’s Nicaraguan general election. It spelled out how the U.S. AID was going to use the opposition, the gangs, and other measures to create an unproductive year for this Nicaraguan administration.
State Department Secretary, Mike Pompeo, has met with the opposition in Costa Rica several times to get them to unite behind one candidate and to quit arguing, but to focus on the upcoming November elections.
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| Mike Pompeo 2021 - Shutterstock licensed photo |
The leaked State Department paper, RAIN, also lays out how, if the current Pres. Daniel Ortega wins again, there are plans to overthrow him and his administration through gangs, NGOs, and any means possible.
Nicaragua has increased its GDP by 35% over the last 11 years. It is one of the safest countries in Latin America, but the U.S. government, used to being in control, HATES its success and its socialism. It ABHORS the reality that the Nicaraguan government is determined not to be a U.S. puppet in the region, but to be its own sovereign nation.
Let me remind you that Nicaragua is a democracy. Their supreme court did away with term limits and Pres. Daniel Ortega has been elected three times, and is poised to be elected a fourth time.
Doing away with term limits do not negate democracy. Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was in office for 11 ½ years.
Trying to limit the overthrow of a government does not negate democracy. Nicaragua has just passed laws that mirror those in the U.S. regarding consequences for acts of violence, the attempt to overthrow the government, and sedition... some of those who just violently attacked the Capitol may face those charges.
Pres. Daniel Ortega will win because HE has, through his leadership, made Nicaragua safe and increased its GDP by 35% over 11 years.
They have acted to get potable water into 91.8% homes, up from 65% in 2006.
They have rebuilt the infrastructure of the nation and have greatly improved electricity, sewage treatment plants, and roads. They have paved 600% more roads than were paved before.
They have created more parks and improved the already existing ones. Internet is free in the parks and other places.
So of course, Pres. Ortega will win! Really, how could he not? Unless someone interferes.
The opposition has never stooped to involve the poor in their decisions, but instead has run to the U.S. State Department and Congress to ask for interference. They exclude those living in poverty while the current administration does not. And when those who are living in poverty or on the edge of poverty vote, who do you think they will vote for? And since they make up the majority, who do you think will win?
Unless someone interferes.
Nicaragua grows bananas. It is true. But its current government identifies itself as a Christian, Socialist Democracy. “Banana Republics” is a racist term and like all racist terms simplifies and demonizes the societies and people with whom we disagree, allowing us the self-given authority to interfere.
This has got to stop.
Nicaragua has increased its GDP by 35% over the last 11 years. It is one of the safest countries in Latin America, but the U.S. government, used to being in control, HATES its success and its socialism. It ABHORS the reality that the Nicaraguan government is determined not to be a U.S. puppet in the region, but to be its own sovereign nation.
Let me remind you that Nicaragua is a democracy. Their supreme court did away with term limits and Pres. Daniel Ortega has been elected three times, and is poised to be elected a fourth time.
Doing away with term limits do not negate democracy. Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was in office for 11 ½ years.
Trying to limit the overthrow of a government does not negate democracy. Nicaragua has just passed laws that mirror those in the U.S. regarding consequences for acts of violence, the attempt to overthrow the government, and sedition... some of those who just violently attacked the Capitol may face those charges.
Pres. Daniel Ortega will win because HE has, through his leadership, made Nicaragua safe and increased its GDP by 35% over 11 years.
This government has also made education free and accessible…not only providing tuition for all, but also books and supplies, housing and food and toiletries for university students too poor to provide their own.
They have expanded electricity access, now reaching 98% of the nation, up from 54% under previous administrations...and have made 77% of the electricity renewable.
They have expanded electricity access, now reaching 98% of the nation, up from 54% under previous administrations...and have made 77% of the electricity renewable.
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| Wind turbines - photo elnuevodiario.com.ni |
They respond quickly and efficiently in times of natural disasters as they did with two category 4 hurricanes that hit Nicaragua just this past November in 2020 in just two weeks.
They have provided health care and have built 24 hospitals and dozens of health clinics as well as increased the number of doctors and nurses educated. They have established new testing facilities and equipment, more dialysis stations and machines, cancer treatment centers, and have decreased by 68% maternal and 61% infant mortality by establishing houses where pregnant moms can come for care and to be closer to hospitals. They have established new chemical labs for making medicines here in Nicaragua instead of importing all medications. They have established a lab for making vaccines. They have a robust vaccination program that is free. And they have started alternative healings like acupuncture, herbal treatments, and massage.
They have provided health care and have built 24 hospitals and dozens of health clinics as well as increased the number of doctors and nurses educated. They have established new testing facilities and equipment, more dialysis stations and machines, cancer treatment centers, and have decreased by 68% maternal and 61% infant mortality by establishing houses where pregnant moms can come for care and to be closer to hospitals. They have established new chemical labs for making medicines here in Nicaragua instead of importing all medications. They have established a lab for making vaccines. They have a robust vaccination program that is free. And they have started alternative healings like acupuncture, herbal treatments, and massage.
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| Hospital Fernando Vélez Paiz |
They have acted to get potable water into 91.8% homes, up from 65% in 2006.
They have rebuilt the infrastructure of the nation and have greatly improved electricity, sewage treatment plants, and roads. They have paved 600% more roads than were paved before.
They have created more parks and improved the already existing ones. Internet is free in the parks and other places.
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| Renovated playground in Managua - photo el19digital.com |
Remember Nicaragua is poor and yet, all the above has happened. The second poorest nation in the hemisphere and yet…
So of course, Pres. Ortega will win! Really, how could he not? Unless someone interferes.
The opposition has never stooped to involve the poor in their decisions, but instead has run to the U.S. State Department and Congress to ask for interference. They exclude those living in poverty while the current administration does not. And when those who are living in poverty or on the edge of poverty vote, who do you think they will vote for? And since they make up the majority, who do you think will win?
Unless someone interferes.
Nicaragua grows bananas. It is true. But its current government identifies itself as a Christian, Socialist Democracy. “Banana Republics” is a racist term and like all racist terms simplifies and demonizes the societies and people with whom we disagree, allowing us the self-given authority to interfere.
This has got to stop.
-Kathleen
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