After several days of heated anti-governments protests, 
the largest in decades, spawned from proposed changes to Nicaragua’s social security system, the death toll has climbed to 27. 
U.S. Embassy services in the capital city of Managua have been curtailed, while the state department has ordered those U.S. government employees and their families that are based here to leave the Central American country immediately, issuing this statement: “Political rallies and demonstrations are occurring daily, often with little notice or predictability… Some protests result in injuries and deaths.”

Goin in July.

I too, just booked a trip to Nicaragua in July. Seems like it may be a little sketchy loading the shuttle at the airport, but once on the road, I feel that things should be pretty mellow. I don't have any plans on srubbing this launch...lol.

Our driver has reported only some slight delays getting people to and from the airport this week.  Our friends at the beach report no problems at all except some longer lines in the grocery stores in Rivas.  I think this will all settle down shortly.  Neither side is interested in hurting the tourists (which has really helped a lot in the last 10 years).

 On a lighter note, surf has been pumping the last few days.  If I were more compter literate, I would post a photo.

 I would not cancel any plans at this point.  We are likely going in May just for a long weekend.

I have reservations for next Saturday. We had to scrub our September trip secondary to Irma and rescheduled for the Riots apparently. I will see how things evolve. This is about more than pensions...

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"All my greatest Ideas were stolen by the Ancients" - Unknown Egyptian Scribe - 2500 B.C.

People who were being held have been released and schools are supposed to be open.  

While looking for news, I saw an optimistic story at El País, the Spanish newspaper with really good Latin America coverage.  There's a good chance of eliminating malaria in Central America and the Dominican Republic in 2020.  Already, there's very little of it compared to 15 years ago.  

We just got from our trip to Popoyo area. We did get a toll extorted by protesters or a gang impersonating protestors on our way back to Managua. We had to take back roads the rest of the way from Catarina where we heard gunfire. The coast seemed safe enough but a crisis is near.

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"All my greatest Ideas were stolen by the Ancients" - Unknown Egyptian Scribe - 2500 B.C.

Thanks for the report and congrats on getting out in good shape.

 

Leaving for a week on Thursday so fingers crossed and we will post some updates.

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www.youtube.com/npi13productions

www.facebook.com/npiproductions

Gunfights make for good videos 

I talked to a co-worker of mine this am and heard some scary stuff. They have family in Nica who work for a ranking Gov't official - story was awful.

They reported someone was ordered to take up arms (he works on computers) to show force against the protesters. He refused and was beaten and detained for days. Word is the Gov't has contained the media on this by shutting down internet and confiscating cameras all over. They saw through Facebook live huge crowds shutting down the streets compared to what has been shown here.

Allegedly there are some Gov't meetings today and tomorrow that will further determine the direction this goes. Worry is that conflict will escalate in the next 48 hours.

Embassies don't just shut down for no good reason. Anyone heading down there - be safe and use your head.

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A horse walks in to a bar. Bartender says "Why the long face?"

Not stoked on my plans made for July. Only time will tell. Might re route and aim the plane for Waco!?! hah

Man.....I just spoke to someone I know who is from Nicaragua and has family still there. When I saw that headline I thought it was recycled from late April....not so. Turns out this past Friday night in Masaya they shot dead another 32 or so students- shots were aimed at the head to kill. None of the students were armed. What is even worse is there are many dozens of students "missing" that have been kidnapped and presumed killed by the Ortega military from what she said. 

Evidently this all stemmed from an edict they passed where efefctive immediately all small buisness owners were taxed 10% on top of what they were, and anyone that recieved the equivalent of social security had 5% taken away over night- there are other  edicts I belive too that basically just overnight took money from citizens. Evidently it has come to light that Ortega took out some kind of loan a while back from Venezueala- and now they want their money as they are in shambles and their own military take over. 

If this continues investors will be fleeing the country, and surfers too! So far the only mass killings are in Managua and Masaya....but keep your eyes peeled- the woman I spoke to was told DO NOT come dowen here....and her relatives are now thinking about what they may do to leave....and you hear NONE of this on the U.S. press- amazing- 62 dead now is the count.

Man.....I just spoke to someone I know who is from Nicaragua and has family still there. When I saw that headline I thought it was recycled from late April....not so. Turns out this past Friday night in Masaya they shot dead another 32 or so students- shots were aimed at the head to kill. None of the students were armed. What is even worse is there are many dozens of students "missing" that have been kidnapped and presumed killed by the Ortega military from what she said. 

Evidently this all stemmed from an edict they passed where efefctive immediately all small buisness owners were taxed 10% on top of what they were, and anyone that recieved the equivalent of social security had 5% taken away over night- there are other  edicts I belive too that basically just overnight took money from citizens. Evidently it has come to light that Ortega took out some kind of loan a while back from Venezueala- and now they want their money as they are in shambles and their own military take over. 

If this continues investors will be fleeing the country, and surfers too! So far the only mass killings are in Managua and Masaya....but keep your eyes peeled- the woman I spoke to was told DO NOT come dowen here....and her relatives are now thinking about what they may do to leave....and you hear NONE of this on the U.S. press- amazing- 62 dead now is the count.

Anyone that's made plans/intending to make plans still, and from this moment forward is hesitantly consisdering not cancelling, should have their f-----g head examined, and every other able minded individual here should be pis--d the hell off at them for risking our National interest and possible need to aid in their rescue/recovery, financially and emotionally. 

Bev.... Have a Snickers bar.

Cute cuz at best mate- irresponsible in the least. America's getting tired of having to clean up their stupid childrens blunders. Ignoring travel warnings, well,,,  

That's crazy. I landed in Managua the night after Ortega anounced the pension cuts and the riots began. I left a few days later and got back to the airport no problem. I did see burned tires in the road but thats it. 

I won't be going back there anytime soon.

fox

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Specializing in sarcasm and condescending rhetoric since 1971.

WorkSuxGetSponsered, I have read the same stories over the past day or two. Sounds like they are trying to diffuse the situation and resolve tensions between the two sides. I hope that this is true and plays out. I am slated to make a trip over there in just under two months. I figure this is plenty of time to assess the situation and make a final call. A lot can happen in that amount of time.

Bev, you have a valid point, but no one is going to take you seriously when you just jump in shouting at everyone like a lunatic. Chill down... ;-)