Trade Union Delegation, March 2024
Casa Ben Linder are organising a trade union delegation to Nicaragua from 2-10 March 2024. The delegation will include the following activities: -
* Meeting with unions and labour activists in all sectors from teachers to motorcycle taxis
* Tour of new hospitals & maternal wait homes with health care workers union
* Meeting with union representatives in the National Assembly
* Visit to unionised street vendors at work
* Visit to a free trade zone factory & meeting with unionised workers
* Visit to low-income housing projects
* Visit to a women’s coffee co-op
* Visit to a women’s police station
* Visit to the Masaya volcano at night and tour of bubbling lava with unionised park guides
The cost of the delegation is US $975 (ca. £750) per person for internal costs including all breakfasts and lunches, hotels, translation and entrance fees. Evening meal and airfare are separate.
If anyone from your region or branch wishes to participate in the delegation, you can do so by emailing casabenjaminlinder@gmail.com. See also https://www.casabenjaminlinder.org/tours for more information about Casa Benjamin Linder. Deadline for applications is 30 January 2024. If anyone is intending to participate, please let us know and we can help with the arrangements and answer any questions you may have.
Latin America Conference 2024
The Latin America Conference 2024 will take place on Saturday 27 January 2024, 10am – 5pm, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BB. It is selling out quickly, so book your place now! See link here.
NSCAG will be holding a seminar during the Conference – ‘Nicaragua: The Threat of a Good Example’. Speakers: Roger McKenzie, International Editor, Morning Star; Julie Lamin, Chair, NSCAG Executive Committee and Luis Erick Rodriguez, Nicaraguan Ambassador to the UK. Chair: Tony Burke, Member of NSCAG Executive Committee and Member, London Print Branch UNITE
Nicaragua Demands Justice and Reparations for Climate Damage
To read the statement made by the Nicaraguan government at COP28 see link here
Advances in Electricity Coverage
National electricity coverage in Nicaragua was 99.37% at the close of October. Between January 2nd and October 31st this year, 186 electrification projects were carried out, benefiting 40,782 inhabitants. Under Nicaragua’s Sandinista government, electricity coverage has expanded from 54% in 2007 to 99.37% nationwide at the end of October. This year’s goal is to close with 99.4% electricity coverage, reaching more than 1,280,000 homes, which would benefit more than 3,686,000 inhabitants. Renewable energy makes up 60.43% of the total: solar energy (0.41%); hydroelectric (7.55%); geothermal (13.40%); biomass (11.60%); wind (12.58%); thermal (39.57%), and imported energy represents 14.88%. See link here
Monroe Doctrine Weakens as Latin America Moves Forward
The Monroe Doctrine, issued by US President James Monroe on Dec. 2, 1823, stated that any interference in the Americas by a European power would be viewed as a hostile act by the United States. In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary, which stated that the United States could become involved in a Latin American country’s internal affairs in cases of “wrongdoing” by that Latin American country. In a recent interview, Nicaragua’s Foreign Minister Denis Moncada stated that “The Monroe Doctrine is in a process of weakening, to the extent that our peoples and our governments are advancing in this struggle against imperialism, against fascism, against neocolonialism. The Monroe Doctrine, which has been the instrument of U.S. imperialism, is declining as the hegemony of the empire is declining.” To read the full interview see here
Nicaragua confirms withdrawal from Organisation of American States (OAS)
On 20 November, Nicaragua confirmed its withdrawal from the OAS. On behalf of the government, Foreign Minister Denis Moncada stated that the OAS ‘continues to be a ministry of colonies, designed and organised by the US to cover up and justify its aggressive actions against progressive nations’. He also referred to the interventionist actions of the OAS, transgressing the principles of non-intervention in internal affairs with respect to the sovereignty of States and the right of the people to choose their own destiny, actions demonstrated in Nicaragua during the failed coup attempt of 2018. For more see here
Sanctions
In our November update, we included an article by John Perry on the way in which US sanctions impact the poor. John has now written a longer version of the article which can be found here
Webinar Recording
On 3 December, our international partner, the Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition hosted a webinar on ‘Nicaraguan Migration: Myths and Reality’. A recording of the webinar can be found here
Making it to the Manger:
Why are Women in Nicaragua More Likely to Survive Childbirth Than Women in the U.S.?
In the US, 80% of maternal deaths are entirely preventable. Nicaragua, over the past 15 years: despite being one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, has managed to reduce maternal mortality by 70% and infant mortality rates by 56%. To read the article by Becca Renk, see here
Speakers
We are always pleased to provide speakers for regional/branch meetings, so if you would like someone to come along to one of your meetings, please email Louise on nscag@nicaraguasc.org.uk
Louise Richards,
Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Action Group
www.nscag.org
Twitter: @NSCAG_UK