This is from my FaceBook entry last night:
At this moment, I regrettably have to report that Nicaragua is descending into the darkness of full revolt. Chaos is everywhere. People are suspicious of the police, military, and the government. We see vicious youth gangs sponsored by the government blending in with the peaceful protesters only to agitate and start street riots. Sadly, women and children are just as easily targeted by the youth gangs, police or the military. There is no entity to trust. Information is sometimes true and sometime false and we can't find out which, until it is often too late.
The people are angry, and rightfully so. The people that are uprising are fighting against corruption, against censorship and against violence. Unfortunately, the well intentioned opposition has no leadership and therefore no one to negotiated on their behalf. As such we do not see a resolution anytime soon.
Gas station lines stretch for miles in some parts of the country and are just very long everywhere else. Looting has become an easy way to make some money and is spreading fast. Stores are starting to run out of food, water, and medical supplies, or are often closed all together. In the bustling tourist center of Granada nearly all of the restaurants are closed or are on some type of self imposed restriction. Street closures and blockades are common throughout the country. As I am writing this update, mortar style sky rockets can be heard in Granada, which is less than one mile away. Tear gas disperses the people but it enrages them too. We don't see an end in sight.
About an hour ago, 500 unarmed students at the University Polytechnic UPOLI, in Managua, came under gunfire attack from the government forces. Nobody knows what the casualty rates will be, but it is an ominous sign gripping this country. We have seen evidence of hospitals refusing aid to injured protesters Food shortages and or store closures in Managua are making the already hungry populace even more desperate.
Mobility within the country is fine during the day, if one stays on the main roads, but not safe or prudent from dusk till dawn. The protesters are not angry with the foreigners only their corrupt government. The U.S. embassy along with other foreign attaches have raised their respective threat levels to "discourage travel" to Nicaragua. Considering fuel, food and water are in such high demand, I would recommend anyone reading this message to head your government warnings.
Not all police or military are stealing, we have heard reports of honest government forces helping people push back mobs of thugs who are pillaging whole neighborhoods. The whole country is gripped with fear. The confusion of not knowing what is real or fake, whom to trust or not is wearing on everyone's nerves.
What gets my family and I so upset is the people whom we've come to love, no longer speak of war in the abstract. Weapons are being made and distributed to the people. The first weapons consisted of rocks or bricks, then machetes or other metal devices. People speak of building bow and arrows. People are too willing to die for it to feel safe anymore.
It is with a broken heart that my two daughters, wife and I have decided to leave Nicaragua later this week, god willing. Our decision to leave comes after analyzing where Nicaragua is at this moment and realizing that the opposition has no leadership. Further, we do not see any negotiated settlement especially since the government is being so tyrannical and unyielding.
You should all know that the Nicaraguan people are fighting for all the right reasons. They are fighting for liberty, justice and government accountability. These people want peace and the ability to be happy just as you do.
Our 2 years years in Nicaragua are what dreams are made of. Sure it was nice seeing the beaches and the volcanoes but what made Nicaragua magical was her people. From the moment we drove across the border in 2015, the people of this country stole our hearts. Viva Nicaragua! Viva Libertad! Viva Amistad! Viva Paz!
At this moment, I regrettably have to report that Nicaragua is descending into the darkness of full revolt. Chaos is everywhere. People are suspicious of the police, military, and the government. We see vicious youth gangs sponsored by the government blending in with the peaceful protesters only to agitate and start street riots. Sadly, women and children are just as easily targeted by the youth gangs, police or the military. There is no entity to trust. Information is sometimes true and sometime false and we can't find out which, until it is often too late.
The people are angry, and rightfully so. The people that are uprising are fighting against corruption, against censorship and against violence. Unfortunately, the well intentioned opposition has no leadership and therefore no one to negotiated on their behalf. As such we do not see a resolution anytime soon.
Gas station lines stretch for miles in some parts of the country and are just very long everywhere else. Looting has become an easy way to make some money and is spreading fast. Stores are starting to run out of food, water, and medical supplies, or are often closed all together. In the bustling tourist center of Granada nearly all of the restaurants are closed or are on some type of self imposed restriction. Street closures and blockades are common throughout the country. As I am writing this update, mortar style sky rockets can be heard in Granada, which is less than one mile away. Tear gas disperses the people but it enrages them too. We don't see an end in sight.
About an hour ago, 500 unarmed students at the University Polytechnic UPOLI, in Managua, came under gunfire attack from the government forces. Nobody knows what the casualty rates will be, but it is an ominous sign gripping this country. We have seen evidence of hospitals refusing aid to injured protesters Food shortages and or store closures in Managua are making the already hungry populace even more desperate.
Mobility within the country is fine during the day, if one stays on the main roads, but not safe or prudent from dusk till dawn. The protesters are not angry with the foreigners only their corrupt government. The U.S. embassy along with other foreign attaches have raised their respective threat levels to "discourage travel" to Nicaragua. Considering fuel, food and water are in such high demand, I would recommend anyone reading this message to head your government warnings.
Not all police or military are stealing, we have heard reports of honest government forces helping people push back mobs of thugs who are pillaging whole neighborhoods. The whole country is gripped with fear. The confusion of not knowing what is real or fake, whom to trust or not is wearing on everyone's nerves.
What gets my family and I so upset is the people whom we've come to love, no longer speak of war in the abstract. Weapons are being made and distributed to the people. The first weapons consisted of rocks or bricks, then machetes or other metal devices. People speak of building bow and arrows. People are too willing to die for it to feel safe anymore.
It is with a broken heart that my two daughters, wife and I have decided to leave Nicaragua later this week, god willing. Our decision to leave comes after analyzing where Nicaragua is at this moment and realizing that the opposition has no leadership. Further, we do not see any negotiated settlement especially since the government is being so tyrannical and unyielding.
You should all know that the Nicaraguan people are fighting for all the right reasons. They are fighting for liberty, justice and government accountability. These people want peace and the ability to be happy just as you do.
Our 2 years years in Nicaragua are what dreams are made of. Sure it was nice seeing the beaches and the volcanoes but what made Nicaragua magical was her people. From the moment we drove across the border in 2015, the people of this country stole our hearts. Viva Nicaragua! Viva Libertad! Viva Amistad! Viva Paz!
For reliable news on the developments in Nicaragua visit 100%noticias.comor #SosNicaragua or other Facebook and social media threads
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your Facebook post about the trouble in Nicaragua. How are things in Granada right now? I am Matt's mom and I am very worried about the family. I have only had one brief text from Matt.
Should you decide to leave, I wish you a safe journey.
I will be praying for all of you and for the dear people of Nicaragua!
Gayle McCotter