Nicaragua Network

1. HKND presents results of progress on canal studies
2. Colombian President Santos calls for accord with Nicaragua
3. New Family Code explained
4. Cuban Five’s Fernando Gonzalez visits Nicaragua
5. Nicaragua addresses hunger conference in Rome
6. Tourism grows around sea turtle preservation and nesting
7. New York consulate to help Nicaraguan migrants

1. HKND presents results of progress on canal studies

On Nov. 20, the HKND Company and its subcontractors presented the results of their feasibility studies as well as a report on the progress of the yet-to-be completed environmental impact study. After announcing a series of modifications to the route to minimize the environmental impact, Kwok Wai Pang, deputy director of construction for HKND, said, “We are ready to begin construction on the canal.”  He explained that the first task would be the building of a port at the mouth of the Brito River on the Pacific side of the country and work there could begin as early as Dec. 22 of this year.

Bill Wild, principal advisor for HKND, said that in December the company would present to the government a report on the progress of the environmental and social impact studies. David Blaha of the British company in charge of the environmental study, Environmental Resource Management (ERM), said that the final study would not be ready until March or April of 2015 because researchers are still working on predicting the magnitude of the impact and alternatives to mitigate it.

Several environmental protection measures were announced at the meeting, however. Kwok Wai Pang said that the site of the port at Brito was moved and a bridge would be built to preserve the mangrove swamps at the mouth of the Brito River and a stone barrier would protect them from too much salt water. Explosives would not be used in the dredging of the shipping channel in Lake Cocibolca (Lake Nicaragua) but rather a special technique for the extraction of sediments.  The planned two locks on the Pacific side would be built seven kilometers from the shore rather than two kilometers to avoid damage from possible tsunamis. On the Caribbean side, it was announced that the canal will not cross the San Miguelito Wetlands System, one of eight Ramsar sites in the country, as previously announced. Blaha, of ERM, said that authorities from the Ramsar Convention had been invited to meet with the government next year to consult about possible impacts on the wetlands. ERM has identified seven areas of great biological importance: the coastline at Brito, the island of Ometepe, the Archipelago of Solentiname, the San Miguelito wetlands, the El Tule forests, the Punta Gorda River watershed, and Monkey Point and its nearby keys.

Blaha summarized by saying that the canal route crosses a zone rich in biodiversity, with indigenous peoples and protected areas of international importance. He explained further, “We have seen a migration of farmers and ranchers [into the areas] and thus the population that lives there is larger than before. The most sensitive subject that we heard about in our meetings was about the acquiring of land and about expropriations.” He said that HKND is committed to achieving a net positive impact, not only mitigating the environmental effects of the canal but assuring that things are actually better than they were before, both environmentally and socially. “Some of the key elements for achieving this would be preventing further [farming and ranching] penetration in the Indio Maiz Reserve and the protected areas of the Punta Gorda Reserve, and maintaining what remains of the Meso-American Corridor which unites the countries of Central America and is important for the protection of the jaguar and other mammals,” he said. He said that there was a commitment now to patrol the boundaries of the Indio Maiz Reserve and to restore protected areas of the Punta Gorda Reserve. The environmental study counted 1,400 species of plants and 410 species of birds, of which 80 were migratory.

The archeological richness of the zone where the canal will pass was also confirmed. ERM found 213 archeological sites dating from 500 BCE to 1519 CE, including 13,000 fragments of pre-Columbian ceramics and 2,000 stone tools and weapons. What will happen to those sites was not specified.

HKND representatives said that two bridges would be built on the Pacific side of the country: one over the locks for operational purposes and another for the Pan American Highway similar to the Las Americas Bridge that crosses the Panama Canal. Koen Thomas of SBE, a Belgian hydraulic engineering company, said that the three locks would be 525 meters long, 80 meters wide and 25 meters deep. The system would include nine separate pools which would permit a 70% saving in water usage.

Paul Oquist, public policy advisor to President Daniel Ortega, said he could not give any details about the financing for the canal but he said that there “would be financing from the whole world; a rainbow of financing which could be seen in the feasibility studies from companies from the United States, Great Britain, China, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Australia.” Telemaco Talavera, spokesperson of the Canal Commission, said that financing was assured and will be revealed in a special announcement before construction begins on Dec. 22. He said that the construction of the canal would generate an estimated 50,000 jobs.

Reactions came from all sides, negative and positive. Victor Campos, deputy director of the Humboldt Center, said that the sheer numbers of workers in the canal construction zone will increase the likelihood that colonization of protected areas will increase even if patrols are put in place and barriers set up. He noted that while HKND has promised not to use explosives in the dredging of the Lake, “There is volcanic material [on the bottom of the Lake], such as basalt, which is hard, and if explosives are required, without a doubt, they will take drastic measures.” Salvador Montenegro of the Center for Hydro Resource Research (CIRA) said the studies released so far have not considered that 38,000 tons of mud and sediment flow into Lake Nicaragua each day. “And neither have they made reference to studies of fault lines in the lake and of the quakes that are measured there daily,” he said.

Maria Luisa Acosta, director of the Center for Legal Assistance for Indigenous Peoples (CALPI), said that the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires that no relocation of indigenous peoples “shall take place without the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous peoples concerned” and this did not happen in the case the indigenous of the Department of Rivas or the South Caribbean Autonomous Region. Santiago Thomas, president of the Rama Kriol community said that Caribbean Coast indigenous leaders planned to meet on Nov. 24 to decide what measures to take after hearing the news released on Nov. 20.

At a citizens’ forum in Masaya, Azahalea Solis of the Autonomous Women’s Movement (MAM) called the prediction that there would be many new jobs created “an enormous lie.” She added, “The fact that they have not announced the investors in the canal makes you think that either they want to launder ill-gotten funds or there are geopolitical interests involved, or both. But of one thing you can be sure, the interests of Nicaragua are not involved.”

Meanwhile, representatives of two of Nicaragua’s principal trade union confederations, the Jose Benito Escobar Sandinista Workers Central (CST-JBE) and the Sandinista Workers Central (CST), said that they were in the process of certifying construction laborers for work on the canal. Roberto Gonzalez of the CST said that next week there would be a meeting with HKND representatives to agree on the inclusion of other trade union confederations, including the CUS, the CGTI, and the CUSA, in a roundtable to discuss the qualifications that will be needed. He added, “We are making efforts to reach more than 15,000 workers for the beginning of the first stage of the project.”

Benjamin Lanzas, president of the Nicaraguan Chamber of Construction, said that there are a number of Nicaraguan construction companies that have the experience necessary to take over the preparatory work that, according to HKND representatives, will consist of building access roads and movement of heavy machinery.  In his Nov. 20^th presentation, Bill Wild said that HKND was about to close bids for Chinese companies and open bids for local companies. Mario Zelaya of D’Guerreros Ingenieros said that his company will be submitting a bid for the building of access roads. On Nov. 24, government spokesperson Rosario Murillo said that contracts had been awarded to five Nicaraguan companies for access road construction.

The editorial in El Nuevo Diario on Nov. 24 reiterated the continued environmental concerns about the canal but summarized: “Just as, according to the opinion polls, a majority of Nicaraguans consider it positive that Nicaragua will build an interoceanic canal, we believe that this country is facing a historic opportunity and we hope that we will take advantage of it and make it a reality.” (El Nuevo Diario, Nov. 21, 22, 24; La Prensa, Nov. 23; Radio La Primerisima, Nov. 21; Nicaragua News, Nov. 25)

2. Colombian President Santos calls for accord with Nicaragua

On Nov. 19, the second anniversary of the World Court ruling that awarded the San Andres Archipelago to Colombia but most of the surrounding waters to Nicaragua, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos visited San Andres and on the same day ordered his foreign minister, Maria Angela Holguin, to begin talks with Nicaragua for a treaty to protect “the rights of the raizales,” as the traditional inhabitants of the islands are called. He added, “I believe that it is the right path because we don’t have any other, and I think it is time to take the first steps in that direction.” Colombia has, up until now, refused to recognize the ruling of the Court. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said that he had discussed such an agreement with Santos when they met at the inauguration of President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico in Dec. 2012, shortly after the ruling was issued. “We have good communication with the raizal population,” Ortega said, adding, “It is important to have close relations because many Nicaraguans who live in Corn Island and Bluefields are descendants of raizal families.” (La Prensa, Nov. 19; El Nuevo Diario, Nov. 20)

3. New Family Code explained

Members of the National Assembly Committee on Women, Youth, Children, and Family met on Nov. 18 to review the application of the new Code of the Family which was published on Oct. 8 and will go into effect on April 8, 2015. Deputy Carlos Emilio Lopez explained that the Supreme Court is required by the new law to establish new institutions, including special family courts and an office of an ombudsperson for the family. He explained that the long and tedious written process for a parent to ask for child support or an elderly parent to ask for support from an adult child will be replaced by an oral process consisting of two hearings, one in which the judge will attempt to bring the parties to an agreement and, if this is not possible, a second hearing in which the judge will issue a ruling. Lopez said that this system will favor the most vulnerable: women, children, the elderly, and the disabled.

Committee chair Martha Marina Gonzalez said that parents who, without justification, do not pay child support will have to pay a fine of an additional 2% for each month of delay and if payment is delayed for 12 months, a parent can go to jail. The new code recognizes stable unions where there is no impediment to marriage and the couple has lived together and only with each other for two years. A notary public can issue the appropriate document which will be valid for issues such as inheritance, social security pensions, property ownership, etc. (La Prensa, Nov. 19; El Nuevo Diario, Nov. 18)

4. Cuban Five’s Fernando Gonzalez visits Nicaragua

Fernando Gonzalez, former Cuban Five political prisoner in the US, who was released last year after being incarcerated for over 15 years, arrived in Nicaragua on Nov. 22 for a visit. He was met at the airport by Managua Mayor Daysi Torres, union leader and National Assembly Deputy Gustavo Porras and Minister of Youth Bosco Castillo. Gonzalez thanked the Ortega government for its years of solidarity with the Cuban Five. He emphasized the importance of continuing the struggle for the release of the three Cuban anti-terrorism agents who remain in US prisons. Fernando, along with Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labañino, and Rene Gonzalez, were arrested in 1998 after Cuba turned over to the FBI evidence of terrorism that the five men had gathered from infiltrating anti-Castro Cuban groups in Miami. Rene and Fernando were released after completing their sentences for espionage, but the other three continue to serve long prison terms including two with life sentences.

Gonzalez met on Monday with Cuban health and education brigadistas and Cuban diplomats serving in Nicaragua. He was also called “Cuban Hero” by government spokesperson Rosario Murillo. While in Nicaragua, Gonzalez also traveled to Granada, Masaya and Leon, the latter of which declared him “favorite son” and gave him the keys to the city. He also met with government authorities and members of the Sandinista Front for National Liberation and the Sandinista Youth.  [Ed note: While Gonzalez was incarcerated in Safford, AZ, Nicaragua Network National Co-Coordinator Chuck Kaufman helped host his wife, mother and two sisters during the three times they received visas to visit him.] (Radio La Primerisima, Nov. 22, 24; La Prensa, Nov. 23)

5. Nicaragua addresses hunger conference in Rome

During a joint meeting in Rome of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), Ministry of Health General Secretary Enrique Beteta Acevedo addressed the plenary session stating that “the reduction of chronic malnutrition is one of the central themes” of the Ortega government’s public policy agenda. “Nicaragua is realizing a process of transformation of the social model, into one that is Christian, socialist, and in solidarity, Acevedo said, pointing out the importance of the 2009 Law of Food Sovereignty and Security to Nicaragua’s achievement of the UN Millennium Goal to cut malnutrition in half. He stated that Nicaragua is implementing policies that are “recovering values, restoring rights, strengthening capabilities and enabling poverty and underdevelopment to be overcome.”

These policies, he said are “strengthening the family economy to permit better levels of production, increased productivity and income” which contribute “to the defense of food security and protection against the impacts of climate change.” He pointed out that Nicaragua’s new model focuses on rural and urban small producers, favoring their participation in the national economy. As an example, he said, the government has supplied 173,500 families, 128,000 of them headed by women, with fruit trees in the period from 2012-2014. He said that has helped “reduce chronic malnutrition by 4.4% during the last two years.” He also pointed out the importance of educating people to eat a more diverse and healthy diet in order to reduce hunger and malnutrition.  The UN conference was attended by 160 countries. It passed two documents, the “Declaration of Rome” on nutrition, and the “Framework for Action” for the next several years. Pope Francis also addressed the conference. (El Nuevo Diario, Nov. 20; Radio La Primerisima, Nov. 20, 21)

6. Tourism grows around sea turtle preservation and nesting

Sea turtle nesting grounds south of San Juan del Sur have increasingly turned the area into a popular tourist destination. The La Flor Wildlife Refuge, 22 kilometers from the city, is the zone from July to January where tens of thousands of endangered sea turtles lay their eggs and their hatchlings make a mad dash to the sea during which thousands of them are preyed on by birds. Fish also prey on the small turtles, only one in a hundred of which survives to maturity. Through October of this year, 135,450 turtles laid their eggs in La Flor and so far 65,000 eggs have hatched. Last year 109,212 turtles nested at La Flor producing 308,500 baby turtles. [Most of this year’s eggs have not yet hatched, nor has the egg laying season ended.] Local tourist businesses have little by little been improving services for tourists who want to observe the sea turtles. By the end of October, 2,700 tourists, many of them foreigners, had visited the area, setting the stage to exceed the record set last year of 3,220. Local hotels offer tours to observe the egg laying and the hatching both by land and by sea.

In related news, 3,000 endangered Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings were released near the water on the Pacific beach of Jiquilillo. Those that survive will return to the same beach in 15-25 years to lay their own eggs. Community groups guard the nests and the hatchlings from predation by humans, dogs, and other animals. Alberto Obregon, an employee of Camaronera Torrecilla said that since the arrival of the turtles this year, 8,500 eggs have been protected and 3,500 hatchlings have been released. Tourists from Australia, Germany, US, and Portugal observed the event and praised Nicaragua for protecting the endangered reptiles. (El Nuevo Diario, Nov. 21, 22)

7. New York consulate to help Nicaraguan migrants

The Nicaraguan Consul General in New York, Maria Tellez Velasquez, on Nov. 24, notified Nicaraguans living in the eastern part of the United States that those who do not have a document with a photo that identifies them as Nicaraguan citizens will be able to obtain one at the consular offices. Those who wish to obtain the consular ID should bring a birth certificate and be accompanied by a close relative. In the case of those who do not have a birth certificate and a close relative in the US, the consular officials will take down the necessary information and contact relatives in Nicaragua who can identify them and certify that they are Nicaraguan citizens. Tellez stated that beginning in January 2015 consular officials will visit other states on the East Coast of the United States to provide services to Nicaraguans who would find it difficult to travel to New York but who need documents to take advantage of upcoming new immigration rules in the United States. (El Nuevo Diario, Nov. 24)