Nicaragua: One dreams it grand

If the homeland is small, one dreams it grand. These words, written by the Nicaraguan poet/diplomat Rubén Darío at the beginning of the 20th century, resonate with me as I sit here reflecting on my time in Nicaragua while simultaneously watching what has become of the land of lakes and volcanoes lately.

Approximately three years ago, I completed my Peace Corps service in Nicaragua. During our 27 months there, my colleagues and I worked alongside teachers and business owners in various communities and lived firsthand the struggles of daily life. While we faced water shortages, natural disasters, cancelled classes, uncomfortable bus rides, and many other challenges, we never experienced political unrest in the form that the country has seen this past week. Last Monday, citizens took to the streets to protest recently-passed Social Security reforms. These reforms prompted the people, who have had the same president since 2006 and are tired of the current government's operations, to take action by peacefully protesting.

Unfortunately, the protests have since turned violent. The Nicaraguan government has been censoring news channels, but the people have responded by using social media. Live videos have shown marches in the streets, police brutality against protesters, government buildings being burned, people looting grocery stores, and even a reporter being murdered. The death toll is reported to be between 25-30 people at this point, with more people injured. Unbelievable damage has been done to the existing infrastructure, and it will take a lot of time and resources to rebuild what has been broken. 

Yesterday it was announced that the reforms would not continue as passed a week ago. The protests continue, and many are calling for a change in government. This has all occurred so abruptly that even if the current government is ousted, I'm not convinced that a solid backup plan exists. Such has been the vicious political cycle throughout Latin America in the past century: a dictatorship, ended by a revolution led by a leftist/radical regime who proceeds to establish a socialist democracy which theoretically appears great but then falls into patterns of corrupt leadership, sparking a counter-revolution, etc. Could this be the beginning of the end of the Ortega era in Nicaragua? Perhaps, but it will come at a cost. 

Our hearts break for what is happening. During our time in Nicaragua, we discovered that progress and change take time, but with persistence and teamwork a better future is possible. It is a small country, but as so eloquently stated by Rubén Darío, its people have great hopes and dreams for their nation. Our Nicaraguan friends and family are currently in a tough situation, and we wish only for a peaceful future.