Nicaragua - Truth versus Lies

The election victory of the Sandinista government in November 2006 brought to an end 16 years of neoliberal governments. Since that time, Nicaraguan society has been radically transformed and Nicaraguans now enjoy a society where the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are prioritised, with 58% of the budget spent on health and education. Universal free health care and education are now provided throughout the country, poverty and extreme poverty have been more than halved and there have been huge strides in the field of gender parity.

Yet against this background Nicaragua is constantly demonised by mainstream media, Nicaragua’s right wing opposition and those who accept its mischaracterisations at face value. Since the violent, U.S.-directed coup attempt in 2018, it has been very difficult to find objective analysis of the political situation in Nicaragua in mainstream media, much less any examination of the Revolution’s achievements. In disregarding what is actually happening in the country, the media is ignoring and excluding the lived experience of ordinary Nicaraguans, as if their daily lives are irrelevant to any judgment about the direction the country is taking.

During this event, speakers described what life is really like in Nicaragua today as opposed to the media hype – and we hope they may inspire you to visit for yourself!