OSAC Country Security Report Nicaragua
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OSAC Country Security Report Nicaragua Last Updated: July 27, 2021 Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Nicaragua at Level 4, indicating travelers should not travel to Nicaragua due to COVID-19. Additionally, it states that travelers should reconsider travel to Nicaragua due to limited healthcare availability and arbitrary enforcement of laws. Finally, it states that travelers should exercise increased caution in Nicaragua due to crime. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Peace Index 2021 ranks Nicaragua 130 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as being at a low state of peace. Crime Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Managua as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nicaragua, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes. Crime: General Threat There is serious risk from crime in Nicaragua in general. Reported crime rates are low, but many crimes go unreported. Theft from vehicles, pick-pocketing, and occasional armed robbery occurs in store parking lots, on public transportation, and in open-air markets. In Managua, street crime is more prevalent during hours of darkness, late at night, or early in the morning. Criminals often carry weapons such as knives and guns. Criminals often carry weapons such as knives and guns. While U.S. citizens have been victims of murder in Nicaragua, the most frequently reported crime is theft. U.S. citizens have also reported sexual assaults and other violent crimes while in Nicaragua. Several U.S. citizens have been the victims of sexual assault in beach locations and at hotels; violence against women continues to be a concern. According to the Government of Nicaragua’s most recent official crime statistics, the overall homicide rate was eight per 100,000 inhabitants. The homicide rate in the Southern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region was 31-- almost triple the national average. Other areas with homicide rates significantly above the national average were the "Mining Triangle," composed of the three Northern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region municipalities of Siuna, Rosita, and Bonanza (14); Jinotega (18); and the Northern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region as a whole (21). The reported overall rate of robbery was 177:100,000 inhabitants, an increase of approximately 27% from 2019. The reported overall rate of theft was 59:100,000 inhabitants (+31%). The reported overall rate of sexual assault was 28:100,000 inhabitants (+12%), and the reported overall rate of theft was 59:100,000 inhabitants (+31%). The municipalities with the highest rates of criminal complaints were Managua, Matagalpa, Estelí, Masaya, León, Carazo, Granada, Chinandega, Chontales, Rivas, and the Northern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region. Exercise caution in these and other municipalities with high volumes of crime, such 1 as León, Ciudad Sandino, and Bluefields, as well as in the Southern Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region due to its high homicide rate. Armed individuals in civilian clothes or “para-police” have been perpetrating violence throughout the country since April 2018. Reports suggest that “voluntary” and official police have taken part in this violence. Police have arbitrarily detained and searched people in an effort to identify and arrest those who have participated in protests or who oppose the government. Given the geographic isolation of the Caribbean coast and autonomous regions, the Embassy’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens who choose to travel there is severely limited. The U.S. Embassy also strongly recommends that U.S. government personnel do not drive outside of urban areas after dark due to transportation safety concerns. Crime: Areas of Concern The U.S. Embassy prohibits off-duty U.S. government personnel from entering the Oriental Market (El Mercado Oriental) due to high levels of crime and illicit activities. Street crime is also common in Puerto Cabezas Bluefields, San Juan del Sur, Popoyo, El Transito, and the Corn Islands. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, and Taking Credit. Kidnapping Threat Incidents of kidnapping could occur, but normally under avoidable circumstances and in specific geographic areas such as the autonomous regions. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nicaragua. Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips. Drug Crime Drug trafficking and the criminal elements associated with it appeared to increase. Nicaraguan security forces have recently seized multiple large drug and bulk cash shipments and made multiple arrests. Consult with the CIA World Factbook’s section on Illicit Drugs for country-specific information. Terrorism Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Managua as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nicaragua. Review the latest State Department Country Report on Terrorism for Nicaragua. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Terrorism Index 2020 ranks Nicaragua 72 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as having a low impact from terrorism. Terrorism: General Threat Nicaragua has no indigenous terrorism. No known terrorist organizations are identified as operating in Nicaragua. 2 Political Violence and Civil Unrest Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Managua as being a HIGH-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Elections/Political Stability Presidential elections will take place in November 2021 in Nicaragua. The Ortega regime maintains control of Nicaragua, and at this time it appears the opposition is too fractured to come together. President Ortega and his government randomly change laws and electoral processes to ensure continued control of the government. This type of arbitrary political decision making is a significant setback to achieving free and fair elections in November. Already, government authorities have arrested and investigated opposition candidates and regime critics for alleged threats to the state. Prior to, during, and in the wake of the third anniversary of the 2018 civil unrest, the National Police officers posted hundreds of officers in riot gear iin strategic locations throughout Managua and other parts of Nicaragua to discourage anyone from publicly expressing their discontent against the Ortega regime. The Ortega regime is expected to continue to use similar security tactics in the lead up to the November elections. Protest & Demonstration Activity There is serious risk from civil unrest in Managua. In the past, demonstrations involved demands for transparent elections, opposition to the proposed building of an inter-oceanic canal, women’s rights, and excessive force by security forces. Previous demonstrations began peacefully, but the presence of counterdemonstrators and/or riot-police would lead to an escalation in tension and violence. Typically, protests in Managua take place at major intersections and traffic circles (rotundas), and near shopping malls. Outside of the capital, they often take the form of road/highway blockades. Demonstrations began in April 2018 over proposed changes in the social security system regarding benefits and other requirements. Based on the Nicaraguan government’s heavy-handed response, anti- government protests grew dramatically and lasted for months. Student groups, anti-canal groups, and a large cross-section of the Nicaraguan people participated. Protests in the form of marches and demonstrations in main intersections, strikes, road barricades, looting, and social media campaigns erupted. Government-aligned para-police and pro-Ortega groups countered protests, often with violence and intimidation. Deaths directly related to the violence surrounding these protests, as well as extrajudicial deaths and disappearances, occurred; human rights organizations put these numbers between 300-500 persons. Between April and August 2018, there were daily to weekly static protests and marches throughout the country. Protest group sizes ranged from a handful to hundreds of thousands on the streets. Universities were frequent locations of protests due to widespread student support. The police used live ammunition against peaceful protesters and demonstrators. Police presence continues, especially in major traffic circles in Managua and near universities. At times, police presence increases significantly throughout Managua, such as the yearly anniversary of the 2018 civil unrest, to dissuade potential protestors. In response to the Government of Nicaragua’s violations of human and civil rights, the U.S. Treasury Department has levied sanctions against many members of the Ortega administration and private entities that corruptly support the Ortega regime. U.S. persons may