Nicaragua - A Nation's Right To Survive

Background: There has been renewed fascination with Nicaragua for a couple of years now by the Western media.

A friend wanted to travel to Managua (West) and Bluefields (East on the Caribbean coastline). Bluefields is another story in itself.....

A friend travelled to a small Colombian Island (try and guess which one), and was surprised to learn that it was closer to Nicaragua than Colombia. The beautiful little island is (and has been) subjected to ownership claims by both countries. It is just off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua.

There are no direct flights from Nicaragua to the island/s (one main island & several smaller ones). One has to fly from Colombia (Santa Marta or Barranquilla for the shortest flights) or Panama, to get to the island. The island has an immense tourist industry which is administered by the Colombian government in Bogota.

Since 1970 there has been talk of petroleum under the island/s.

I mention all of this because Nicaragua is the poorest country in the entire region of Central & South America & The Caribbean after Haiti. If Nicaragua could gain from the tourism revenue from the island that literally sits in their lap, then that would be a major thing for the Nico's (Nico's is how they refer to themselves, just like the Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos).

Colombia has Cartagena (major tourist port & city), Santa Marta (major national & international tourist port & city), Cali (major and renowned for the music & dancing that emanates from this city) and countless other beaches (playas) for citizens, residents & visitors.

Video: Is about the threat of Communism in Nicaragua, and the US role in what essentially is a very poor, stagnant but stark & beautiful country in Central America. The Nico's are apathetic and stoic, and this video shows you some of the reasons why this is so.

Thankfully Nicaragua does not share the horrid problems of it's neighbours in El Salvador & Honduras. But that is entirely another subject (not for the faint hearted) for another time.