Nicaragua’s Indigenous Protests include Kidnappings

In recent months, Panama has been in the spotlight and received international coverage for its indigenous people protesting mines and hydroelectric projects on their native lands.  Similar coverage has not been forthcoming regarding indigenous protests in Nicaragua, however.

Kidnappings

The indigenous people on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua have been protesting non-indigenous cattle ranchers, loggers and farmers encroaching on indigenous lands. As in Panama, there have been road blockades. However, things changed on February 9, when the Nicaraguan Miskito community of Lapan kidnapped twelve non-indigenous outsiders, including nine volunteer policemen.  It is now April and the Miskito have yet to release their hostages. The kidnappers are demanding that 600 “colonist” (non-indigenous Nicaraguan) families leave their indigenous land.

History of Miskito violent protests

This is not the first time that the Miskito have been in violent protests. According to Columbia.edu, between 1982 and 1984 the Miskito were armed and in open revolt against the Sandinista government. As with other Contra forces at that time, the Miskito were encouraged by the United States. What angered the Miskito then was the Sandinista’s heavy-handed power in the region, the Miskitos’ low status among other indigenous Caribbean people and the lack of economic activity in the region. The Sandinistas eventually brought peace to the area by negotiating with the rebels and dividing the areas into semi-autonomous regions with limited self-rule rights and control over natural resources including land. The accord was incorporated into the 1987 Constitution and later legislation.

Ortega and Sandinistas ignoring current conflict

Fast forward to today where President Ortega has ignored the Miskito protests and kidnappings. For one thing, unlike in the 1980’s, there is no evidence of international support, including from the US, for the Miskito. However, the Sandinista government will be unlikely to ignore the protests if they significantly disrupt the Sandinista government’s long-term economic plans for the area.  These economic plans include logging, a major hydroelectric dam and a deep water port. At that time, President Ortega will likely, as he has in the past, negotiate another peace accord with the Miskito.

Sources:  Newsroompanama.com

country-data.com/Nicaragua

Columbia.edu