Nicaragua

What Happened
Nicaragua's National Assembly unanimously voted on Nov. 25 to approve a law declaring sanctions imposed by foreign states and organizations as "null and void without any legal effect," while also ruling that no person or entity can suspend services to sanction individuals or companies, Reuters reported the same day. The bill is set to become law in the next few days once it is published in the official gazette. It imposes penalties ranging from fines and the temporary or permanent suspension of operations, to imprisonment on treason charges.

Nicaragua: Lawmakers Pass Bill to Force Banks to Ignore Sanctions changed

Politics

Nicaragua's National Assembly unanimously voted on Nov. 25 to approve a law declaring sanctions imposed by foreign states and organizations as "null and void without any legal effect," while also ruling that no person or entity can suspend services to sanction individuals or companies, Reuters reported the same day.

Nicaragua: Lawmakers Pass Bill to Force Banks to Ignore Sanctions

Panama

United States

Social Issues

Panama's new President, Jose Raul Mulino, was inaugurated on July 1 and hours later announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Biden administration to fight illegal migration through the Darien Gap, AP reported on July 1.

Panama: New Government Deal With the U.S. to Help Fight Illegal Migration

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Science & Technology

Reporters Without Borders published its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, indicating that suppression of journalists and political attacks on the press have "significantly intensified" in the last year, The Guardian reported on May 3.

Global: Press Freedom Declines Amid Pivotal Elections Around the World

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega proposed a bill on March 12 that would force telecommunications companies to give information about their users to the government when asked, Infobae reported on March 13.

Nicaragua: Bill To Increase Privacy, Government Surveillance Concerns

Nicaragua granted Ricardo Martinelli, a former Panamanian president and current presidential candidate, asylum after Panama's Supreme Court upheld a 10-year prison sentence against him for a money laundering charge, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 7.

Panama: Former President Given Asylum in Nicaragua

China and Nicaragua signed a free trade agreement (FTA) that covers a diverse range of areas including customs, tariffs, financial services and multilateral environmental deals, Reuters reported on Aug. 30.

Nicaragua, China: Countries Sign Free Trade Agreement

The U.S. Biden administration issued new sanctions against Nicaragua's gold and mining industries in order to increase pressure on Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega over his authoritarian actions, AP reported Oct. 24.

Nicaragua: New U.S. Sanctions Target Nicaraguan Gold Industry

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Colombia

Costa Rica

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Strained government resources, increased organized crime, political tensions and supply chain disruptions are likely to rise in tandem with migration.

How Record Migration Will Impact Central America

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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Are Russia's claims of increased cooperation with Latin America's authoritarian governments credible?

Essential Geopolitics: Russia Makes Moves in the U.S. Backyard

People walk past a mural of the Venezuelan and Russian flags that reads "Together we will defeat COVID-19" in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 4, 2021.

The Ukraine Conflict

Amid ongoing tensions in Ukraine, Moscow will use its ties with Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua to illustrate its geopolitical influence in the U.S.'s own backyard. 

Is Russia’s Renewed Outreach to Latin America All for Show?

Columns

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Uganda

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Hong Kong SAR, China

A demonstration against a Polish parliamentary vote seen as impinging on press freedoms Dec. 19, 2021, in Warsaw, Poland. Crackdowns on independent media and civil society groups pose long-term risks by silencing valuable local information sources and harming the business climate.

Political Instability & Social Unrest

Security

U.S.-China Relations

Crackdowns on independent media and civil society groups pose long-term risks by silencing valuable local information sources and harming the business climate.

The Corporate Implications of Cracking Down on Domestic Dissent

Assessments

Taiwan

A video grab shows Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada announcing the country’s diplomatic split from Taiwan on Dec. 9, 2021. 

The New Silk Road

Security Challenges in Latin America

The move shows how the U.S.’s sanctions-heavy, anti-corruption drive in Central America risks pushing countries into China’s open arms. 

What to Make of Nicaragua’s Diplomatic Break From Taiwan

What does Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's crackdown against his critics mean for democracy in his country?

Essential Geopolitics: Nicaragua Dances With Dictatorship

Guatemala

In this podcast, Emily Donahue speaks to Ben West, a Stratfor senior global security analyst, about the forecast for the U.S.-Mexico border in 2021.

Essential Geopolitics: The U.S.-Mexico Border Forecast for 2021

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Shoppers wearing face masks amid concerns over the COVID-19 novel coronavirus outbreak in a market in Seoul, South Korea, on March 14, 2020.

COVID-19

Whether the lessons of South Korea can be applied in the West remains to be seen.

Learning How to Reopen a Country After COVID-19 Shutdowns

Global Perspectives

Contributor Perspectives

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega seems to be going down the same path as his authoritarian predecessors.

As President Daniel Ortega ramps up the pressure on the press, he might do well to heed the lesson of the last time an authoritarian Nicaraguan leader attacked the country's journalists.


What Happens When You Kill the Messenger in Nicaragua

Whether Ortega voluntarily submits to a referendum on his rule largely depends on how many allies he can rally to his side through shadow negotiations or pure coercion. 

Facing possible U.S. sanctions and public criticism from members of his party -- including his own brother -- Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is confronting the possibility that he can't resolve his country's political crisis without risking his own hold on power. 

Nicaragua: The President's Options Are Running Out

Paramilitaries surround the San Sebastian Basilica in Diriamba, Nicaragua, on July 9, 2018.

President Daniel Ortega appears to have ridden out the storm after demonstrators pressed for his departure, but other challenges might yet threaten his rule.

Nicaragua's Wave of Protests Is Ending -- For Now

As protests continue in Nicaragua, the country's security is likely to worsen before it improves.

Tough times await Nicaragua as the country's protesters and government dig in for a protracted battle. Companies still operating in the country would be well-advised to consider contingency plans.

Nicaragua's Hard Road Ahead

SITUATION REPORTS

Nicaragua: Lawmakers Pass Bill to Force Banks to Ignore Sanctions changed

Nicaragua: Lawmakers Pass Bill to Force Banks to Ignore Sanctions

Panama: New Government Deal With the U.S. to Help Fight Illegal Migration

Global: Press Freedom Declines Amid Pivotal Elections Around the World

Nicaragua: Bill To Increase Privacy, Government Surveillance Concerns

Panama: Former President Given Asylum in Nicaragua

Nicaragua, China: Countries Sign Free Trade Agreement

Nicaragua: New U.S. Sanctions Target Nicaraguan Gold Industry

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