Nicaraguan Politics and Government
On the narrow isthmus known as Central America, between the world’s two greatest oceans, Nicaragua has been marked by endless years of political turmoil, social tension and economic dismay. The turmoil’s that have shaken the country make it plausible to believe that by some metaphysical law, Nicaraguan politics have accommodated to nature’s tantrums. Like its diverse, rugged and seismically active geology, the country’s politics have been irregular, impulsive and often explosive (Pastor, 15). The Nicaraguan election of February 25, 1990 represents the country’s attempt to break from its turbulent political past and pursue economic and political stability through the establishment of a democracy. The
…show more content…
There was much speculation regarding the potential outcome of the election especially regarding the possible social upheavals that could have resulted in yet another Civil War. The National Vote Counting Center was not announcing results until every electoral ballot had been counted, but quick counts conducted by both sides of the opposition as well as by the representatives of the monitoring international organizations hinted at the possible victory of UNO. As a result the concern had shifted as to how to ensure a smooth transition while preventing any possible social upheavals. Daniel Ortega expressed his concern to Carter in meeting that took place the night the polls were closed: “I wanted to talk to you about what could be an eventual triumph of UNO, and take steps to ensure that if this occurred, it would not produce a bad outcome. There is a section within UNO who would be so encouraged by a UNO victory that they might want to provoke acts of violence against the FSLN…. There could be a civil war. The conduct of the U.S. government would be decisive (Pastor, 261).” Due to the cooperation of the opposition party’s especially in calming and controlling their supporters, the announcement of the UNO victory did not result in any social repercussions and hence helped Nicaragua serve as an exemplary model to the international community proving that peaceful transition is in fact possible. Despite Barrios’s success in the election her tenure
In the heart of Central America lies the Spanish speaking nation of Nicaragua. Officially titled “the Republic of Nicaragua”, there have been multiple stories of how the country got its name, the most prominent story says that during the time the Spanish invaded, Nicaragua took its name from an indigenous chief named Nicarao who was ruler of the region. Fast forwarding the history: Three hundred years of Spanish colonialism, a hundred years of totalitarian ruling by multiple “presidents”, and thirty years of Somoza family dictatorship, Nicaragua underwent the Sandinista revolution in 1979 to create a socialist society. Despite socialism having a track record of failure, there was great advancements in literacy and overall education, as well as improvement the nations GDP. However, the 1980’s were engrossed in destructive guerilla wars and political blunder sending the nation into a downward spiral.
When you are planning a holiday, the first thing that comes to mind is the BUDGET – whether it is booze, lip smacking food, cheap flights, comfortable accommodation or simply having fun! Our beautiful earth is abundant with spectacular locations no matter which end you want to go to but if you are planning a pocket friendly holiday, then there are a few locations that will indeed make you happy! London, Paris, New York, Cape Town, Dubai are some amazing and popular global destinations that certainly have the glitz and glamour but at a price! Here I have listed out some holiday favorites if you are planning one so that you spend less but get more.
Nicaragua is the largest Central American country and was settled in as a Spanish colony back in the 1520's. In 1522 Spanish explorer Gil Gonzalez de Avila named the colony "Nicaragua" after an Amerindian chief named Nicarao who once ruled the area, making Nicaragua have Spanish and Indian cultures. Back in 1523-24 Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba officially completed his exploration of Nicaragua. In 1838 Nicaragua fully gained its independence from Spain. William Walker assumed presidency over the country in 1856, and had seeked U.S. annexation as well as sanctioning slavery. General Jose Santos Zelaya was Nicaragua's first dictator that took power in 1893. National hero Cesar Augusto Sandino starts a rebellion against US occupiers and other
Nicaragua is a country located in Central America in the Caribbean. Currently the country stretches 50,338 square miles and their population is about 5,907,881. To put this in perspective Nicaragua is about the size of Pennsylvania and has about half has many people living there. There average life expectancy is around 72 for both men and women. Nicaragua uses a republic government (a type of government where people that are elected have supreme power) and there current leader is Daniel Ortega, he was elected in 2007. Like the United Sates most people practice Roman Catholicism as their religion, this has become the most popular religion in all of Nicaragua. People living in Nicaragua most likely have a job in food processing, metal working, machinery,
Since its discovery, Nicaragua has been ravaged by revolution, guerrilla warfare, U.S. government and military occupation, insurrection of the Sandinista’s led by Augusto Cesar Sandino, government
In 1845, a Nicaraguan journalist warned his compatriots, “The waterway across the Isthmus of Nicaragua is the apple of our Eden. It will be our curse”. This metaphor is appropriate in that it reflects the turbulent times the country of Nicaragua will face as a direct result from U.S. military intervention. In 1857, the United States utilized military intervention in order to save the nation of Nicaragua from a citizen of their own upbringing. William Walker, an ambitious American filibuster hailing from Pennsylvania had been overrunning several Latin American nations in pursuit for his own economic profits; however, in the end, the administrative government of the United States determined that the efforts of the military were unfounded and would reflect poorly; therefore the operation was repudiated by the government. The failure of the American government to fully dismiss William Walker’s conquest for power within the Latin America and punish him accordingly underscores how the United States consistently proves to support figures that often have the worst intentions but claim to uphold the interests of America.
Nicaragua was also another proxy war that the United States was unable to resist from imperialistic opportunities, which ended in millions of tragic death (“Nicaragua”). The US was originally allied with the Somoza, due to them being non-communist which was also for economic gain in the United States part (“Nicaragua”). However, the Somoza were very violent with the putting down of communists and had no support (“Nicaragua”). There was a great amount of corruption in the government, and they were unpopular to Nicaraguan people (“Nicaragua”). The Sandinistas, in order to try to overthrow the Somoza, bombed lots of places, killing “up to 50,000 people...”, and creating a national debt up to $1.6 billion dollars with “material damage estimated at $1.3 billion dollars.” (“Nicaragua”). A “covert [secret] war was sponsored by the US government” in Nicaragua after the ordeal with the
Somoza García gained support from the US through the assassination of Sandino and repression of a peasant movement and was elected President of Nicaragua in 1936.
As most of you know I live in Nicaragua since 2012. When I moved here, one my main goals was to volunteer for locals. That didn't happen officially, as I got involved with more personal causes. Now that I know that in the near future I will not be in Nicaragua permanently, I feel the urge to volunteer again. I do not want to leave this country that has given me so much time, space and growth without paying it forward. That is why, I started contacting organizations and that is how I met Ivania.
Because of its resemblance to this case, we refer to the Nicaragua v. United Stated case (International Court of Justice - 1986), in which the Court held that “the mere supply of funds to the contras, while undoubtedly an act of intervention in the internal affairs of Nicaragua, does not itself amount to a use of force”. “Undermining the governments” of Weslia, Strence and Ermion, and even “founding secrete rebel
The ability of the president to deprive citizens of their natural rights --and of the presidents near omnipotent power -- makes Nicaragua a questionable democracy and dormant oligarchy. The contemporary news and light history of corruption can lead an observer to believe their political efficacy to be misconstrued as there could be a lot of surreptitious and non-conspicuous activity. Nicaragua is, by concept, a democratic, participative and representative Republic due to its’ participatory elements (though not as much as the United States as it is seemingly closer to true
Recent reports about the situation in Nicaragua have caused the United States to get involved and implement new sanctions to make Nicaragua a transparent and corruption-free country again. The NICA Act is a way to ensure that no loan is given to the Nicaraguan government’s benefit unless it is for basic human needs or to promote democracy until the Department of State is certain that Nicaragua is following certain conditions. These conditions include holding transparent elections, promoting democracy, combat corruption, investigating and prosecuting government officials alleged to be corrupt and allow freedom of expression without government intervention (H.R.1918 — 115th Congress 2017-2018).
Ecuador’s history contains a dramatic series of regime changes and constitutional modifications. From the early 19th century until the late 20th century Ecuador was controlled by one dictator after the next. The Presidential list starts with Jose Maria Velasco Ibarra, who was president inconsistently for around thirty years due to his terms not being continual, and ends with the current president, Rafael Correa, who is now in his third term. It was not until the early 1990’s, after a military coup that lasted from 1972 to 1992 ended, that the country attempted to once again set up a democratic system. However, the new democracy failed for many years to have a stable presidential leader. In 2006 Correa was elected after thirteen years of several
Under Fire is a dramatic war movie from the 1980s. Taking place during the last days of the Nicaraguan Revolution which ended the Somoza regime. The three journalist in which the plot is based around; are in a love triangle. Russell Russell, an astonishing photographer, covers the civil against President Somoza of Nicaragua. Russell soon gets drawn into the chaos of war when the Guerillas have him take a picture of the thought-to-be-dead leader, Rafael. Russell and his two friends, Claire and Alex, have to hide from the army. Throughout the movie Russell transitions from being a neutral journalist with a camera to a human rights activist.
The municipal elections that followed were a complete nightmare. For the first time since 1990, independent observers, foreign and local, were refused accreditation to monitor the election. Mr Ortega said that they were barred because they were backed by “outside powers”. A week before the election my mom took us out of school early. She soon explained, that they have called our house and said they were coming to kill us. We went into hiding at my great aunts house. At the end of the day, they were only empty threats, but the psychological damage was done. According to the electoral council 's provisional results, the Sandinistas duly won 94 of the 146 mayorships at stake. They stole the elections and there was nothing to be done. That was the last drop, my mom decided we had to move. She had lived under this regime before. She was forced into a career she disliked because the same dictatorship that was once again taking over our nation. She refused