Nicaragua, the forgotten dictatorship • FRANCE 24 English

Nicaragua: The Dictatorship the World Forgot

Key Concepts:

• State Terrorism: Systematic use of violence and intimidation by a state against its own citizens.
• Exile: The state of being forced to live outside one's native country.
• Dynastic Succession: The consolidation of power within a single family, transforming a revolutionary movement into a hereditary regime.
• Paramilitary Groups: Privately funded armed groups operating alongside or under the direction of the government.
• Political Repression: The suppression of political dissent by a government.
• Deforestation & Political Favoritism: The illegal clearing of forests for resource extraction, often used as a means of rewarding political allies.
• Nostalgia & Cultural Identity: The strong sense of longing for the past and preservation of cultural traditions among Nicaraguan exiles.

The Reality of State Terrorism & Political Persecution

Xiao Maldonado, a survivor of two assassination attempts in Costa Rica, highlights the pervasive fear and insecurity experienced by Nicaraguans in exile. These attacks, she asserts, are directly linked to her father’s exposure of corruption within the Sandinista government around 2009. This marked a turning point, leading to escalating persecution of her family, forcing Jao (her father) into hiding. Maldonado emphasizes that “state terrorism is a reality in Nicaragua,” a claim echoed by numerous exiles interviewed. The assassination of Roberto Sam Cam, a former Sandinista major and protector of exiles in San Jose, Costa Rica, in June 2025, is presented as stark evidence of the regime’s reach and willingness to eliminate opposition even beyond Nicaragua’s borders. Sam Cam’s death is described as “a major blow” and “proof of what we already knew that the Ortega Murio dictatorship operates a network of surveillance and informants.”

The Ortega-Murio Regime: From Revolution to Dynasty

The video details the transformation of Nicaragua under the leadership of Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murio, who is officially designated as co-president. Once hailed as heroes of the 1979 Sandinista Revolution, they have established a highly controlled dictatorship. The regime actively suppresses political opposition, independent media, and activism. Foreign journalists are barred from entry, making independent reporting extremely difficult. The couple’s children, particularly Loreno Ortega Murio, are presented as key figures in consolidating power, controlling media outlets, and shaping the national narrative. The regime is accused of transforming into a “dynasty,” mirroring the very system Ortega once fought against.

Control of Information & the Exile Experience

Alicia and Miguel, Nicaraguan journalists who fled to Costa Rica in 2022, illustrate the challenges of reporting from exile. They describe the extreme control over information within Nicaragua, where access to official events is restricted to those on approved lists. They now operate as part of a dispersed digital outlet, with team members scattered across Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, and the United States. Their work relies on a network of sources to track the regime’s activities, but gathering evidence is “incredibly difficult” due to widespread fear of reprisal. The video highlights the emotional toll of exile, with individuals expressing a longing for their homeland and a persistent hope for eventual return. Carlos Eddie, a former Sandinista radio broadcaster, exemplifies this, now selling pickled vegetables while hoping for better days.

The 2018 Uprising & its Aftermath

The year 2018 is identified as a pivotal moment, marked by peaceful protests against new laws that were met with deadly force. The ensuing three-month uprising saw cities taken over by demonstrators, fueled by a new generation’s belief in imminent change. However, this hope was brutally crushed by intensified repression. Thousands were imprisoned and tortured, and over 300 people were killed. Ellison, a student who participated in the 2018 protests, recounts the initial euphoria and subsequent fear. The government has systematically erased the academic records of students involved in the protests, effectively denying their education and future opportunities. A former government official, speaking anonymously from within Nicaragua, reveals that support for the regime is dwindling, even among its own ranks, driven by fear and the loss of loved ones. He states, “It’s happened far too often here. Someone says a bit too much and a few days later their son is found dead on a street corner. The police don't investigate. The case is just closed.”

Paramilitary Expansion & Environmental Exploitation

In February 2025, the regime deployed 30,000 “volunteer police officers” wearing balaclavas, effectively creating a paramilitary force. This expansion of security forces underscores the regime’s reliance on intimidation and control. The video also exposes a concerning trend: widespread deforestation in the India Nature Reserve, a vital environmental area on the border with Costa Rica. This deforestation is linked to illegal gold mining and is allegedly used as a means of rewarding political allies with land grants. The area is characterized by houses flying the Sandinista flag, signifying the regime’s control.

International Response & Future Prospects

Despite a damning United Nations report on human rights abuses, the international community’s response has been largely muted. The video criticizes the continued insistence on “dialogue” from some countries, despite the regime’s unwavering repression. More than half a million Nicaraguans now live in Costa Rica, maintaining their cultural identity through community events, food, and folklore. The video concludes with a plea for help for the Nicaraguan people, particularly the youth, and a warning that political exiles remain in danger even outside of Nicaragua. The final statement underscores the regime’s ongoing crackdown and its efforts to secure dynastic succession, echoing the sentiment that Ortega has become the very dictator he once opposed.

Notable Quote:

• “State terrorism is a reality in Nicaragua.” – Xiao Maldonado
• “We watch the Ortega Mario family line their pockets. We've become deeply disillusioned, especially from those we once trusted and saw as the torchbearers of a brighter future.” – Carlos Eddie

Data & Statistics:

• Xiao Maldonado was hit by five bullets in the first assassination attempt and eight in the second.
• Over 300 people were killed during the 2018 uprising.
• Approximately 20,000 Nicaraguan students have been forced to restart their studies in exile.
• More than half a million Nicaraguans live in Costa Rica.
• 30,000 “volunteer police officers” were sworn in February 2025.

Logical Connections:

The video establishes a clear narrative arc, tracing the evolution of the Ortega-Murio regime from revolutionary heroes to authoritarian rulers. It demonstrates how the initial exposure of corruption led to escalating repression, culminating in the current state of widespread fear and exile. The segments on the 2018 uprising, the paramilitary expansion, and the environmental exploitation are presented as consequences of the regime’s consolidation of power and its willingness to use any means necessary to maintain control. The interviews with exiles provide personal testimonies that reinforce the broader political analysis.