Nicaragua News July 23, 2023
Nicaragua News July 7, 2023
British teachers recently highlighted the quality of the education system in Nicaragua. Two new high-tech operating rooms were inaugurated at the Bertha Calderón Women’s hospital. April 23, 2023
On April 13, Minister of Finance Iván Acosta presented his Annual Report to the National Assembly. He said that during 2022, the government continued the program to fight poverty and consolidated the path of economic growth. He highlighted the 2022 municipal elections, programs to fight poverty and increase security and safety in Nicaragua, advances in gender, Caribbean Coast development, environmental policies, growth in investment, and more. US$75.61 million was provided to micro and small-scale agricultural producers, 51.2% higher than in 2021. The GDP grew 3.8% and exports totaled US$7.73 billion, 12.6% more than in 2021.
A first quarter 2023 poll by M&R Consultants reports that 76% of Nicaraguans approve the work of the government; 86% said that the government generates hope among the population; 88% believe the institutions resolve issues in a timely manner and 90.7% said Nicaragua is overcoming the healthcare crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Nicaragua News, 13 Abril 2023)
On April 14 Nicaragua and the People’s Republic of China signed agreements to develop programswith support from the China International Development Cooperation Agency. The agreements are for the rehabilitation of 150 megawatts of thermal energy as well as for 920 affordable homes, the second phase of a larger program to build more than 12,000 homes. (Radio La Primerisima, 15 April 2023)
The Institute of Agricultural Protection and Health [the regulatory agency that tests for contaminants on fresh produce, grains, raw meats, and dairy products] reported that Nicaragua’s sanitary status is one of the best in the region thanks to the rigorous deployment of an agri-food sanitation model throughout the nation’s production chain. Nicaragua is recognized for its sanitary status by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
The Ministry of Agriculture will have interactive production maps on their web pageto help producers of all crops identify the best areas for planting. The maps allow producers, students, professionals, investors and the general public to know the production, sown area of crops, soil fertility by municipality, areas of basic grains, coffee, cocoa, bananas, and others. The maps also show the areas that use irrigation systems, types of systems and water sources. Farmers use 9.9 million manzanas [one manzana equals 1.7 acres] allowing the country to achieve food sovereignty. The agricultural sector is 14% of the economy, 30% of exports and generates 28.7% of employment nationwide. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/cinco-mapas-interactivos-con-toda-la-informacion-agropecuaria/ (Radio La Primerisima, 13 April 2023)
April 19 was declared the National Day of Peace in order to celebrate respect, harmony and fraternity for prosperity. On the National Day of Peace and throughout the month of April, families, communities, organizations and the state will implement actions and activities to celebrate the joy of living in peace. Dr. Gustavo Porras, National Assembly President said that since the triumph of the revolution, Nicaragua has faced “a US war of aggression and we preserve peace not only in our territory but also in the Central American region, a fact that is demonstrated in the different agreements signed by Nicaraguan. Our vocation for peace has always been evident.” (Radio La Primerisima, 16 April 2023)
Two new high-tech operating rooms were inaugurated at the Bertha Calderón Women’s hospital. In the womb Surgeries as well as surgeries on pregnant women with cancer will be performed. The operating room has a high-tech intelligent audio and video system to watch live fetal surgery inside the womb. There is an amphitheater for training purposes. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/construyen-quirofanos-de-alta-tecnologia-en-hospital-bertha-calderon/ (Radio La Primerisima, 21 March 2023)
Nicaragua suspended the approval it had granted to Fernando Ponz as European Union ambassador on April 18. A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads: “In view of the interfering and insolent communiqué of this day, which confirms the imperialist and colonialist positions of the European Union, this April 18, on the eve of the National Day of Peace, the sovereign government of the Republic of Nicaragua, on behalf of the brave, heroic and courageous people of this free homeland of Rubén Darío and Augusto Sandino, has decided to suspend the placet that had been granted to Mr. Fernando Ponz as ambassador of that subjugating power. We reiterate to the neocolonialist gentlemen and women of the European Union our condemnation of all their historic genocide and we demand justice and reparation for these crimes against humanity and for their virulent, greedy and rapacious plundering of our wealth and cultures. In the face of the permanent siege on the rights of our people to national sovereignty, we will not receive their representative.” (Radio La Primerisima, 18 April 2023)
British teachers recently highlighted the quality of the education system in Nicaragua. British educator Heather Marcano said that the integral education that students receive reflects the reality of a country rich in culture, nature and generosity. During the annual conference of the National Educators Union of the United Kingdom (NEU-UK), in April, members of a recent delegation to Nicaragua shared their experiences. Labour MP, Christine Blower confirmed the Union’s commitment to continue the teacher exchanges with the Nicaragua Teacher’s Association (ANDEN) to support English as a second language education and deepen relations of friendship and solidarity between the two teachers’ unions. (Radio La Primerisima, 7 April 2023)
The National Police in Boaco inaugurated a modern crime laboratory with scientific technical equipment to make analyses that are required in police investigations. The laboratory provides forensic criminalistics including a department of ocular inspections of the crime scene and investigation of accidents, explosions and more. (Radio La Primerisima, 6 April 2023)
The Nicaraguan Institute of Culture and the municipalities have helped start 141 Houses of Culture and Creativity throughout the country. These are beautiful spaces for learning and development of talent and creativity in children, young people and adults. The goal is to have 186 Cultural Houses. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/han-sido-instaladas-141-casas-de-cultura-y-creatividad/ (Radio La Primerisima, 11 April 2023)
The first water park in the small municipality of San Juan de Limay, Esteli was opened just before Holy week. “It has two pools and is the first stage of a larger Aquatic Park, said Mayor Flor Maria Mendoza. (Radio La Primerisima, 6 April 2023)
Tenth and eleventh grade students are participating in workshops on transgenic foods (GMO’s) and their harmful effects on the environment and health as part of the celebration of the International Day of Science and Technology. They learned how GMO’s lead to more resistance and how they damage other crops, the water, the soil and the air. They also learned about how damaging junk food and processed foods are often made with transgenic grains. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/estudiantes-reciben-taller-sobre-efectos-nocivos-de-alimentos-transgenicos/ (Radio La Primerisima, 11 April 2023)
The government of Nicaragua expressed its total rejection of the resolution that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights presented on Nicaragua. In a statement released in Geneva on April 3 the government stated that this type of resolution constitutes unilateral aggression with the sole purpose of damaging the sovereignty and independence of Nicaragua. The statement demanded that the UNHCHR apply in all its actions the principle of non-intervention and equal treatment for all nations. Nicaragua emphasized that it does not accept any resolution or report whose content is constructed with distorted information and taken only from sources that are adverse to the government. What these reports have, is information totally lacking in objectivity and with a very marked political bias. [See rejection signed by dozens of organizations and hundreds of people: https://nicasolidarity.net/taking-action/action-alert-un-human-rights-report-on-nicaragua-is-fatally-flawed-and-should-be-withdrawn/] Radio La Primerisima, 3 April 2023
The New “Right to Choose and Duty to Respect” Booklet was presented to Christian Leader and other organizations in early April. The objective is to promote love and unity in Families. Minister of the Exterior Denis Moncada stated that since 2007 the government has promoted a solid model of dignified diversity equity through actions that contribute to wellbeing with the duty to respect the diversity of human beings. He said that this booklet is an instrument of peace to reaffirm that love in families allows them to find the way to understand, respect and accept the diversity of identities. “All of us must foster respect within our own communities.” See video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BJt2jwESCU&ab_channel=vivanicaragua13 (TN8TV, 3 April, 2023)
Reforestation Campaign Reached 112% of Goal
The reforestation campaign Green, I want you green reached 112% of the programmed goal in its first stage with 1.25 million trees planted. Over 37,000 people were involved in different activities, like setting up 2,450 community nurseries. The second stage begins in May to reforest with 26 million plants. Over 12,000 farmers were also trained in the management and protection of forested areas. See Photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/siembran-mas-de-1-millon-de-arboles-con-campana-de-reforestacion/ (Radio La Primerisima, 1 April, 2023)
The Pantasma crater, made about 800,000 years ago, was recognized as one of the 4 most important meteor impacts during the last million years. It was incorporated into the Earth Impact Database of the Dominion Observatory, in Ottawa. It has the most important meteor impact database in the world. http://www.passc.net/EarthImpactDatabase/New%20website_05-2018/Pantasma.html; https://radiolaprimerisima.com/crater-de-pantasma-entre-impactos-meteoricos-mas-importantes-del-mundo/ (Radio La Primerisima, 23 March 2023)
Nicaragua was once again recognized by the Pan American Health Organization ashaving the highest Covid Vaccination Rate in the Region with more than 95% of the population fully and voluntarily vaccinated. (Nicaragua News, 27 March 2023)
The new 25 meter Kilambé bridge across the Coco River in the Wiwilí municipality, Jinotega Department, was inaugurated on March 21. The bridge directly benefits 89,039 inhabitants.
The Good News Evangelistic Crusade in Chinandega had more than 40,000 peoplein attendancefrom 13 municipalities attending. See photos: https://www.tn8.tv/departamentos/finaliza-gran-cruzada-evangelistica-buenas-nuevas-nicaragua-en-chinandega/ (TN8TV, 19 March 2023)
In March, near the time of Holy week, hundreds of families from different communities made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Jesus del Rescate in handmade carts pulled by oxen, a trip believers have made for more than 300 years to Popoyuapa, Rivas. Margarita Arcia, 90 years old, said that throughout her life she has never once missed this pilgrimage. “My mother taught me and that’s how I began going. She taught us this way of going to see Jesus, who appeared on a mountain to a man who kept oxen. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/carretas-peregrinas-rumbo-a-popoyuapa/ (Radio La Primerisima, 23 March 2023)
Bishop Alvarez had a visit from siblings on March 25 at the National Penitentiary System in Tipitapa. Family reunions in these penitentiary centers allow families, friends or people close to the inmates to enjoy a moment of tranquility with their loved ones. Also, within the penitentiary system, courses are offered for the inmates’ education by the National Technological Institute (INATEC). And in order to guarantee integral health care a modern dental clinic was recently opened. See photos: https://www.tn8.tv/nacionales/monsenor-alvarez-recibe-visita-de-sus-hermanos-en-el-sistema-penitenciario-de-tipitapa/ TN8TV, 25 March 2023
Why 222 Nicaraguan criminals were deported and why they and others lost their citizenship
March 2023
Photo tweeted by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on February 24, 2023. From left to right: Juan Sebastian Chamorro, Arturo Cruz, Chamorro’s wife Victoria Cárdenas, Tamara Dávila, Pedro Mena, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Violeta Granera, Medardo Mairena, Felix Maradiaga. Four of these persons are covered in the present article.
The major US media have been less than truthful about the 222 released prisoners, formerly Nicaraguan, who traveled to Washington by agreement with the US government, in a plane provided by the US, on February 9.
What the media should focus on is that, as in the 1980s with Reagan’s Contra war, the United States has been trying to overthrow the the democratically elected government of Nicaragua. Read more