A Year of Protests and Uncertain Negotiations: Where is Nicaragua headed?
May 30th marks one year since Nicaraguan protesters were killed by paramilitary forces in a clash that left over 15 dead and 200 wounded. According to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Nicaragua is experiencing widespread and ongoing human rights violations; waves of government repression have left over 400 people dead and 700 imprisoned. Nearly 80,000 Nicaraguans have been forced to flee the country, seeking refuge abroad in countries like Costa Rica. Moreover, the political crisis has had numerous economic impacts, leaving thousands of people without work.
Negotiations with President Daniel Ortega aimed at resolving the crisis have seen few results. At several points they have stalled, and thus far the government has been unwilling to implement negotiated agreements. Following the killing of a political prisoner in May 2019, the opposition alliance withdrew from negotiations in protest.
In light of these events, the country is facing an uncertain future. The international spotlight is on Nicaragua at a key moment in the country’s fight for democratic change. Will Nicaraguans continue their peaceful fight for democracy? Are there any remaining prospects for a negotiated resolution to Nicaragua’s crisis? What can we expect in terms of justice for victims of government oppression? Will Ortega accept moving up the date of elections, currently scheduled for November 2021? What impact will international sanctions have on Nicaragua’s future? What can we expect from the upcoming OAS resolution at the General Assembly and its impacts? The Dialogue is pleased to host an event with Nicaraguan leaders to address these pressing questions and discuss what lies ahead.
Follow this event on Twitter at #NicaraguaProtests and @The_Dialogue.
Welcoming remarks
Michael Shifter
President, Inter-American Dialogue (@MichaelShifter)
Speakers:
Mónica López Baltodano
Activist and enviromental lawyer, Articulación de Movimientos Sociales y de Sociedad Civil (@MonicaLopezBalt)
Felix Maradiaga
Director, Instituto de Estudios Estratégicos y Políticas Públicas (@Maradiaga)
Michael Healy
President, Unión de Productores Agropecuarios de Nicaragua
Violeta Granera
Coordinator, Frente Amplio para la Democracia (@VioletaG)
Moderator:
Manuel Orozco
Program Director, Migration, Remittances and Development, Inter-American Dialogue (@manuelorozco65)
This event will take place in Spanish.