Sunday is the Nicaraguan general election.
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| Map of Nicaragua |
As a foreigner living almost three decades in this nation and as a person who visited Nicaragua extensively in the 80s, I have some thoughts to share about this home I've chosen and its current leadership...the Sandinista party. I will also simplify my issues for you in yes and no questions.
1. First and foremost...is Nicaragua a sovereign nation? Yes.
2. Is Nicaragua treated as such by the US and the US's allies? No.
3. Is Nicaragua a democracy? Yes.
4. There has been so much reported on how Pres. Daniel Ortega has manipulated the Supreme Court so that he could be reelected. Is that true? Yes and no.
Two conflicting statements exist in the Nicaraguan constitution....one said no reelection was allowed and the other said that the people have the right to elect whom they choose. The supreme court ruled that the second took precedence over the first in order for democracy to work.
5. Did Pres. Ortega wait until the supreme court was balanced in the FSLN's favor? Yes. Duh. Who doesn't?
6. Is the Sandinista government perfect? No. Which government is? I know of none.
7. Has this government been good for Nicaragua? Absolutely.
8. What has improved under this government?
- Health care including COVID response
- Infrastructure...including roads and bridges
- Food distribution, farming, and reducing hunger
- Education
- Parks
- Electricity
- Potable water
- Disaster relief and rebuilding
- Women's rights and representation
- Indigenous rights including autonomy
9. Is Nicaragua aggressive to it's neighbors or other nations? No.
10.Is Nicaragua a narco state like Honduras or El Salvador? No.
11.Is Nicaragua supportive of the right of Cuba, Bolivia, and Venezuela to be sovereign nations? Absolutely. (This is just part of the burr that is in the U.S. State Department's backside.)
12.Has Nicaragua jailed people who are opposed to the government? Yes and no...
Despite what the international media publishes, everyone arrested has been charged with a specific crime breaking a specific law and the legal system has tried to be transparent about it. Others who oppose the government and have not committed a crime are still campaigning. (Six different parties are running.)
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| Nicaraguan election campaign posters and banners |
13.Will most of the votes on Sunday go to the Sandinista party? Polls show that they will.
14.Will the elections be respected internationally? No.
We see how the elections are already being maligned in international media before they even happen. There are 160 international election observers here now.
15.Last and most important to me... does this government take the climate crisis seriously? Absolutely.
The climate crisis is the most critical issue of our times. And we just piddle away at it, even at the COP26.
This government has spoken out as one of the most ardent supporters of serious action needing to be taken to address climate change and has called for penalties on those nations that pollute.
This government has worked hard to not only electrify the most remote areas of Nicaragua, but to also do it with renewable energy...wind, hydro, geothermal, and solar. Now they are working to set up systems for electric vehicles.
One would think that every person who cares about climate change would support them on this alone, but one would be wrong...because despite what people SAY, climate change is not the number one issue to most.
Nicaragua is a sovereign nation. Let them decide to be great... To make mistakes... To be a beacon of hope in a world of climate change apathy.
- Kathleen
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