Nicaragua Statement on Palestine and Condemnation of UN Security Council “It is reprehensible that this body did not adopt a simple humanitarian resolution urgently demanding a cease-fire, with access to and provision of humanitarian assistance. Nicaragua… always supported the just cause of the Palestinian people, it is a matter of principle, of solidarity between brothers and sisters in struggle, and together with the rest of the international community we consider it necessary to intensify international efforts in the search for a definitive and peaceful solution that culminates in the realization of the Palestinian State.”
NicaNotes: Nicaragua, the UCA, and the Society of Jesus In April 2018 UCA [the Jesuit Central American University] were key players in the attempted right-wing terrorist coup d’état. The UCA campus had been outfitted as the barracks and command post of the anti-Sandinista organizations. From his base at the Jesuit Seattle University in Washington State, the UCA president created a system to channel funds from the US and Europe to promote anti-government activities, called the Central American Initiative (CAI).
It took time to investigate how aid funds had been channeled to promote violence, because in 2018 and 2019 Nicaragua did not have laws to track foreign government financing of non-profit organizations. But in 2020, laws were passed to regulate foreign funding of NGOs, requiring them to report on the funds received and their purpose. Since the enactment of these laws, which exist in dozens of countries around the world, including the imperialist powers, the UCA and the Society of Jesus have refused to comply.
For three years the Ministry of the Interior waited for the UCA and the Society of Jesus to submit financial statements for fiscal years 2020, 2021, and 2022. Finally, the courts ordered the seizure of all its assets, which are now owned by the State of Nicaragua. The National Council of Universities, governing body of the system of higher education, canceled the UCA’s operating license, created the Casimiro Sotelo National University, and appointed its officers. This University will be funded by the Nicaraguan government.
NicaNotes: Profound Advances in Education and Culture Since 2007, when the Sandinistas returned to power, until 2023, Nicaragua’s education budget has increased by a staggering 457%. The number of teachers has increased two-fold. The education curriculum and teaching in multiple languages in the autonomous Caribbean regions of Nicaragua are a government priority. Education from primary through university education has been free since President Daniel Ortega returned to the presidency. A school meal is guaranteed for more than 1.2 million children including preschool and primary students and secondary distance learning students and ensures a plate of food in the classroom. Over the past 16 years, 244 government child development centers have been created, now a total of 276. All are subsidized by the state, all with trained personnel, all with specific programs to instill values and knowledge in the children. These centers serve 16,500 children under age six who receive comprehensive care, food, weight and height monitoring, early stimulation and education and more.
Nicaragua receives a fleet of 250 buses from China Vice-President Rosario Murillo announced that China has agreed to send 1,500 buses for Nicaragua’s public transport system in the coming months, confirming that 250 arrived in October and another 250 will arrive in November. Nicaragua received a food donation from Russia that will support the school snack program. The donation, via the World Food Program, consists of 172 tons of wheat flour and more than 300 tons of sunflower oil.
Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition statement on Palestine The Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition expresses solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and acts of terrorism being committed by Zionist Israel, which is a key element in US objectives in maintaining world dominance… We support the right of Palestinians and their organizations to resist and fight against the occupation “by all necessary means, including armed struggle” (UN Resolution 37/43 of the 90th plenary session of 1982). We are resolute in our unconditional support for the Palestinian people and their cause of national liberation.
Events
September 23 – November 18: virtual course, Ben Linder Solidarity School, 9 week class (two hours a week) Topics include: Nicaragua and the Sandinista Revolution; History and current context of Latin America and US imperialism; ATC and peasant organizations / social movements; Food Sovereignty and Agroecology; Solidarity and Internationalism.
November 9: Nicaragua’s South Caribbean Region Fourth and final episode of a Virtual Course and Film Festival: The Rights of Indigenous and Afro-descendant Peoples on Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast 7:00pm Eastern/ 6:00pm Central America & Mexico/ 4:00pm Pacific. Please join us to learn about the Creole and Garífuna Afro-descendant Peoples around Bluefields, Orinoco, and surrounding communities.
November 11 Solidarity on the path to Nuestra América – Panel of Nicaragua Solidarity Groups Sponsored by Friends of the ATC. Confirmed panel includes: Nicaragua SolidarityCampaign, Black Alliance for Peace / Zone of Peace Campaign, Casa Benjamin Linder, Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition, Friends of the ATC.Groups will share their work and how to get involved in anti-imperialist and internationalist solidarity organizing, including campaigns against sanctions, and delegations to Nicaragua.
Nov. 11 Film: Nicaragua Against Empire, Los Angeles, 6 pm.
January 27, 2024: Latin America conference in London18th annual conference in solidarity with Latin American progressive movements.
Upcoming Delegations to Nicaragua
Casa Ben Linder delegations: January 6-14, January 20-February 1, and February 10-19; January 6-14 Power and Protagonism: Women in Nicaragua: Openings still available! Advances & Autonomy Brigade: Rights of Indigenous & Afrodescendant Peoples on Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast Application deadline November 15.
Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition: nicasolidarity.net Our monthly zoom meetings: second Monday of the month (November 13), 2:30 PM ET
Email NicaraguaSolidarityCoalition@gmail.com in advance to request Zoom access for the meeting, or to make other inquiries.
Organizations: Apply for coalition membership here This is an important way to increase the influence of our coalition work, as our membership list grows.
Listserve:nicanet@googlegroups.com join at groups.google.com/g/nicanet
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Facebook: Friends of Sandinista Nicaragua, Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition
Twitter: @SolidarityNica
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