NSCAG JULY UPDATE
“….. you’re the best of what we are, don’t let them get you now, Nicaragua” (extract from lyrics and song by Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn produced in 1984 during the US-funded Contra War against Nicaragua)
NSCAG Solidarity Event, 20th July 2024
The historic Marx Memorial Library in London was the venue for this event held in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution. Speakers at the event highlighted the importance of global sodarity in a changing world using Cuba-Nicaragua-Palestine solidarity as examples. Chair Roger McKenzie, international editor of the Morning Star, introduced the meeting by reflecting on what revolution really means; not just something static or merely theoretical but something that people live and build on a daily basis as do the people of Nicaragua.
In highlighting the historic Cuba-Nicaragua ties of friendship and solidarity, Her Excellency Ismara Vargas Walter, Cuban Ambassador to the UK, emphasised the principles that unite both counties with other parts of the world, in particular Palestine. These principles are the rights self-determination, defence of national sovereignty, non-interference, and internationalism.
His Excellency Dr Carlos Arguello, Nicaraguan Ambassador to the Netherlands and Nicaragua’s representative to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), spoke about the long history of Nicaragua’s solidarity with Palestine, most recently using the country’s extensive experience of promoting international justice through the ICJ. This includes supporting South Africa’s case against Israel and taking a case against Germany for colluding with genocide by supplying arms to Israel.
NSCAG EC member, Ruby Cox, in Managua for the 45th anniversary celebrations, described the inspiring experience of being part of the celebrations as internacionalistas.
See article in the Morning Star, link here. See also article – Two Sister Revolutions – by Eduardo Martínez Borbonet, former Cuban Ambassador to Nicaragua, link here.
Forthcoming webinar, 11th August, 8pm UK time
Report back from participants attending Nicaragua’s 45th anniversary celebrations. Organised by our international partners, the Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition. To register, see link here.
Article by Rick Sterling : One hundred and seventy years of US aggression against Nicaragua
In this article, Rick Sterling argues that Nicaragua has good reason to be wary of the US, having suffered 170 years of interference. Since the 1823 declaration of the Monroe doctrine, the US has considered Latin America and the Caribbean its sphere of influence. Since then, the means of intervention have changed but the goal remains the same: the subjugation of countries that refuse to capitulate to US interests. The author explores the murky history of US interference in Nicaragua: conquest and installation of a US president; military occupation; trained surrogates (Somoza’s National Guard); terrorism (the contra war), economic warfare; election interference; fomenting an attempted coup, and information warfare.
45 years on, lessons from the Sandinista Revolution
In January 2024, Adrienne Ayers, an African organiser native to Waawiyatanong land (Detroit, MI) visited Nicaragua as part of a Casa Ben Linder “Women in Nicaragua: Power and Protagonism” delegation. In this article, Adrienne describes how, despite US sanctions, the Nicaraguan government has largely relied on its own efforts to continue to meet the most pressing material needs of its people. Adrienne goes on to explain Nicaragua’s advances in health and education, specifically the community health care model, the development of people-centred education and the inspiring examples of co-operatives.
US exploits animosity towards migrants to demonise socialist countries
In this article, Jill Clark-Gollub, Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition, describes how the US is exploiting racist anger against migrants to discredit socialist countries. For example, the US accuses Nicaragua of human trafficking just because it applies immigration policies that respect international law. These accusations have taken a dangerous turn as Nicaragua is now being blamed for the crimes of anyone who passes through its territory. This is another dimension of US regime change demonstrating yet again that it will continue to punish countries with illegal coercive measures (aka sanctions) if they fail to follow Washington’s agenda.
Nicaragua One of the Highest in Gender Equity
According to the annual World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap report published on 11 June, Nicaragua now ranks sixth in gender equality. The index benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions – economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment. The other countries in the top ten, according to the report, are Iceland, Finland, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, Germany, and Namibia. The UK is in 14th position and the US 43rd.
Nicaragua Urges Strengthening Multilateralism and Solidarity
During the humanitarian affairs segment of the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC0 held in June, the Nicaraguan government expressed the need to strengthen multilateralism and solidarity, as well as the permanent search for peace and humanism, as guiding principles to overcome the great challenges facing humanity today. Senior representatives of member states convened to discuss the main themes of the meeting: "Putting humanity before conflict; climate change; strengthening humanitarian aid; and respect for international humanitarian law." The alternate permanent representative of Nicaragua, Eleane Pichardo Urbina, pointed out the devastating situation in the Gaza Strip, where almost 40,000 people have already been killed and millions displaced. During her speech, she also stressed that we cannot ignore the more than three billion people threatened by climate change, especially in the region of Central America, the Island States and the African Continent. She explained that the cause of this climate crisis is due to the
unsustainable production and consumption model of developed countries.
Opportunities to visit Nicaragua
Casa Ben Linder are organising three forthcoming delegations to Nicaragua: -
• November 8-17, 2024: Salud & Solidaridad: Hands-On Healthcare in Nicaragua
• February 2025: The Bird Brigade: Birding in Solentiname Arquipelago
• March 2025: Power & Protagonism: Women in Nicaragua
For further information and/or to apply please email casabenjaminlinder@gmail.com
Speakers
Just a reminder that we are happy to provide speakers for regional/branch meetings (online or in person).
Just email me on nscag@nicaraguasc.org.uk if you would like a speaker for one of your meetings.
In solidarity
Louise Richards
Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Action Group
Twitter: @NSCAG_UK