NicaNotes

August 20, 2026

Despite U.S. Hybrid Warfare and Sanctions, Nicaragua’s Socialist Government is

Building Infrastructure and Providing Services at Impressive Rate

PART TWO

By Ben Grosscup

[Ben Grosscup is a traveling folksinger who uses songs for political education in the anti-imperialist movement. This article was first published in Covert Action Magazine on July 8, 2026. In Part One we learned about the visit of the delegation (organized by the Casa Ben Linder) to Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast. In Part Two, the group visits an agricultural cooperative.]

A Utopian Experiment?

Improving the lives of Nicaragua’s people is not merely a question of infrastructure. Nor will such changes alone solve all the country’s problems. Nicaragua, like all countries, contains internal contradictions and divisions. Early in my life, I took inspiration from utopian theories about radically transforming social relationships away from that of the buyer and seller in the anonymous capitalist market. My sense of Nicaragua’s progress, before I arrived, was more modest.  I knew there remains a capitalist class system in Nicaragua, alongside the socialist aspects of the state. Like any capitalist class, the Nicaraguan one exploits labor for profit. Gaudy commercial advertisements and billowing diesel fumes fill up the major roads, just like in the U.S. The government has made certain compromises with its local capitalist elite, which wants to undermine the movement toward a more socialist economy.

However, when I visited the Gloria Quintanilla Cooperative—a women-led, coffee-producing community in Santa Julia, in the mountains south of Managua—I saw that at least some parts of Nicaragua are undergoing a social transformation that is more radical than I had expected. The community was established in 2008 with support from the Rural Workers’ Association (Asociación de Trabajadores del Campo—ATC), just a year after the Sandinista Front returned to power. It has 90 families living at the end of a five-kilometer dirt road high in the mountains. The community has its own leadership structure, separate from the municipal government. The women are clearly in charge of the cooperative, which has legal right to the large tract of land.

We spoke with four women leaders in the community. All came from poverty and had survived domestic violence. Though alcohol is legal nationally, the cooperative prohibits it. The leaders told us this is essential to ending violence against women. One leader told us they have eliminated 90% of domestic violence within the community and are now working on the last 10%.

We learned that there is a gift economy within the community. Various members grow either avocados, or pineapples, or eggs, or chicken, according to agro-ecological principles. When they visit one another, the custom is to bring a portion of what each family produces as a gift.

The customs and leadership within the cooperative are essential to the well-being of its members, but this cooperative could not be thriving as it is without the support of the state. Health-care workers employed by the government regularly come to the community to support members with their health challenges. One of the women, Claudia, told us that she is the coordinator for chronic diseases.  She keeps a comprehensive list of who is suffering from what condition.  When the healthcare workers come by, she is present for the visits, helping to maintain communication and supporting community members with their health challenges.

The cooperative depends on income from its coffee sales, and the government provides support in marketing the coffee. The government supports basic infrastructure needs by improving the water well and the dirt road that connects the community to the rest of the region.

I am aware of several co-housing eco-communities in the U.S. practicing alternatives to standard home ownership. They are typically expensive to live in—especially given the unfavorable housing market in the U.S.—and, therefore, only available to the upper middle class. Like these experiments, the Gloria Quintanilla Cooperative aims to develop a healthier culture than the one surrounding it but, unlike them, this one was built by and for poor people with strong state support.

In the U.S., ideas like anarchism and libertarianism are attractive among people wanting to live an alternative lifestyle.  “The state never does anything for us anyway, so let’s just do it ourselves,” is a sentiment I have encountered many times. But Doña Eloisa, president of the Gloria Quintanilla Cooperative, told us, “We are all Sandinistas here,” indicating that she sees the role of the current government as essential to her community’s well-being.

She told us that, in 2018, her community stood solidly on the side of the Sandinista government when the right-wing opposition was creating hundreds of roadblocks all over Managua in an effort to cause political instability. For months, masked men operating with financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), an instrument of the CIA, sought to overthrow the Sandinista government.  For her, what is at stake in whether or not the current government is allowed to continue or whether it is overthrown in yet another coup attempt is the very survival of the community to which she has dedicated her life.

A View from Home

Nicaragua’s history of colonialism and foreign intervention by the U.S. has put the country at a disadvantage compared to the U.S. in terms of providing the infrastructure required for a prosperous and dignified life for its people. In the mid-20th century, when Flint and Detroit were prosperous cities with a highly unionized working-class population performing complex industrialized labor, Nicaragua was still under the Somoza dictatorship. Back then, Nicaragua built infrastructure for the narrow purpose of fulfilling its role in the global economy as an exporter of raw materials and foodstuffs to industrial centers in the U.S. and Europe. The dictatorship had no need for skilled labor from a large part of its population. That is why it never provided the infrastructure and public services required to sustain a large and prospering middle class.

Seeing Nicaragua in 2026, however, revealed many improvements toward an economy that benefits the majority of its population. It also highlighted ways in which the United States is falling behind by comparison. Everywhere around me, I see the U.S. ruling class—represented by both major political parties—carrying out an organized neglect of our country’s roads, schools, hospitals, water systems and other essential services.

The water, electrical and transportation infrastructure of the United States has taken hundreds of years to build. Much to the nation’s shame, that process heavily relied upon wealth stolen from the Global South—including from Nicaragua itself—through slavery, colonization and exploitation.

But today the public wealth of the U.S. is being squandered. Basic infrastructure and services are either becoming dilapidated and dysfunctional or privatized and expensive. Public roads in many parts of the country—especially majority Black communities like Detroit—grow massive potholes, while motorists who lack quality public transportation options are individually burdened with the cost of vehicle repair. Old water delivery pipes in communities like Flint, Michigan, and Baltimore, Maryland, corrode and release lead into the water.  This creates medical problems our health-care system will not address.

People are forced to seek private solutions, like buying clean water trucked in from somewhere else at great expense.  When they get sick and their care is not covered by insurance, they rely on GoFundMe crowd-funding campaigns to meet medical expenses.

Students commonly graduate from U.S. colleges and universities with economically crippling debt and grim prospects for finding employment in their chosen field. In the U.S., individuals bear the burden of paying for education—a structure that incentivizes them to see themselves as individual consumers, not public servants. Many people are aware that something is profoundly wrong with the U.S. A TSA agent I met at the Miami International Airport is certainly among them.

Political Will and the Need for Change

Starting to reverse Nicaragua’s long history of social and infrastructural neglect from the Somoza dictatorship and the neo-liberal period has required a political commitment to invest in the people, manifested concretely through a political party wielding state power. The privatization of public assets has played out for centuries in the resource colonies from which the U.S. extracted much of its wealth. Today, the United States is suffering its own infrastructural and economic decline, as that same logic of privatization has been applied at home for decades by both major political parties. The TSA agent in Miami asked if Nicaraguans were poor. Many are. But they have something most Americans do not have: a state that treats health care, education and clean water as public goods—not commodities.

Nicaragua’s example suggests that political will—manifested through organized state power—can reverse decades of neglect. An urgent question for progressive politics in the United States is whether we have the courage to establish a new political formation and political consciousness outside the two-party duopoly, that is committed to providing the services and infrastructure the people of the U.S. need.

Briefs

By Nan McCurdy

‍‍‍August 23, 3 pm ET webinar: Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke “Preserving the Nicaraguan Revolution during the Neoliberal Years” English and Spanish interpretation available. ‍After losing elections in 1990, the FSLN vowed to “govern from below.” Over the next 17 years, three US-‍backed neoliberal governments privatized programs, and the poor suffered greatly. But the FSLN worked ‍closely with its grassroots base to help people survive, organize, influence, and eventually return to ‍power. The Co-Foreign Minister will give us an overview of this period. Register in advance: bit.ly/NicaAug23. ‍‍‍

“We have to Keep Struggling for Peace”—Ortega at Naval Force Anniversary

During the ceremony marking the 46th anniversary of the founding of the Nicaraguan Naval Force, Co-President Daniel Ortega sent his warm regards and blessings to the officers, their families, and their communities. Ortega urged everyone to continue fighting for peace now more than ever. “The day we have peace in the world, then we will be able to develop better, grow better, and eradicate hatred,” said the Co-President.

“Today, dear brothers and sisters, dear comrades of the Naval Force, we know that you work hard. The work of soldiers—of the military personnel who fight for peace—is much more complex and much more difficult than the work of those soldiers who are being ordered to kill and to be killed,” he said. He highlighted the support provided by ground and naval forces to productive sectors, which ensures safety in the workplace, promotes investment, and creates jobs to boost the local economy.

“Today more than ever, a coffee farmer or a rice farmer feels secure, and that allows him to invest more and create more jobs for people. And the more jobs we have, the greater the country’s capacity will be to continue meeting that goal: to eradicate extreme poverty! Eradicating extreme poverty, eradicating hunger, eradicating diseases that used to go untreated—or for which people had to go to a clinic or hospital and pay to receive care. That’s over. Here, healthcare is free! Here, education is free! Here, we’re all working together to fight poverty,” said Ortega. (La Primerisima,17 August 2026)

SINAPRED to Inaugurate High-Tech Monitoring and Early Warning Center

Co-President Rosario Murillo announced that the National System for Disaster Prevention, Response, and Mitigation (SINAPRED) will inaugurate a new Monitoring, Warning, and Response Center next week. According to Murillo, the facility was built and equipped with support from the People’s Republic of China to strengthen protection for Nicaraguan families. The project involved an investment of over US$42 million. The facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to improve surveillance, early warning, and immediate response systems for natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and other extreme events. In the face of the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters affecting the world, this modern infrastructure strengthens the country’s response capacity to address any risky situation, prioritizing the lives, peace of mind, and property of the population. (La Primerisima, 14 August 2026)

Nicaragua Among Latin America’s Fastest-Growing Economies

Nicaragua is one of Latin America’s most dynamic economies in 2026, standing out for its strong start and favorable growth prospects, according to an analysis by the specialized website “América Económica” based on data from the World Bank, ECLAC, and official national sources. Nicaragua ranks among the best performers in GDP.

According to the report, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Latin America and the Caribbean will grow by 2.2% in 2026, a moderate rate. Some economies are headed for contraction.

In July, the Nicaraguan Central Bank raised its growth projection for 2026 to a range of 3.5% to 4.5%. This estimate places the country among the regional leaders, trailing only Paraguay at 4.5%—according to its central bank—and ahead of Panama at 3.9%, Guatemala at 3.7%, and other Central American economies. Nicaragua recorded year-over-year growth of 6.1% in the first quarter of 2026, one of the highest rates in the region. This result is comparable only to Paraguay’s 5.8% for the same period. The analysis highlights that “Paraguay and Nicaragua are emerging as two of the economies with the best combination of actual growth and outlook for the end of 2026.” Along with other Central American nations—such as El Salvador (4.8% year-over-year in the first quarter), Guatemala (4.5%), and Panama (4.9% cumulative from January through May, according to the Monthly Economic Activity Index)—these economies are showing stronger momentum than the major regional powers.

The balance of payments for the Central American and Dominican Republic (CARD) region closed the first quarter of 2026 with a current account surplus of US$3.6 billion, US$2.2 billion higher than that recorded in the same period of 2025, according to a report released today by the Central American Monetary Council. Within this regional context, Nicaragua stood out with the largest current account surplus, both in absolute and relative terms. Nicaragua’s current account reached a surplus of US$939.0 million, equivalent to 15.5% of GDP—the highest in the region. This figure far exceeded the first-quarter 2025 result of $361.8 million—equivalent to 7.0% of GDP—and represented an improvement of $577.2 million. Furthermore, it constituted the largest relative surplus on record for a first quarter. Nicaragua’s performance was primarily due to the significant reduction in the goods and services balance deficit, which fell from US$731 million to just US$177 million. Exports of goods grew by 38.0%, reaching US$2.6 billion, driven by a sharp 152.1% increase in exports of non-monetary gold. On the import side, Nicaragua recorded an increase of US$188 million (7.4%), linked to robust economic activity and the country’s production needs. (La Primerisima, 18 August 2026)

INSS Strengthens Health and Pension Coverage for Retirees

The Nicaraguan Social Security Institute (INSS) has undergone a transformation in its health care model, achieving comprehensive medical coverage and expanding its network of regional offices and payment centers to optimize service for pensioners, said the head of the agency, Dr. Roberto López. During an interview on Channel 8 Television, López said that there are currently 369,564 retirees and pensioners enrolled in the system who receive monthly payments. He noted that the annual growth rate of the country’s pensioner population is four percent. There are 364 payment offices nationwide (including more than 300 permanent institutional offices and 64 mobile offices).

The goal is to ensure direct payment of Social Security pensions without having to rely on the private banking network. As part of the modernization of the social security system, an infrastructure program has been launched that has renovated a large portion of its regional offices nationwide, significantly improving accessibility for older adults. The institution has 16 modern, well-equipped departmental offices; seven offices in Managua; and 59 municipal offices that facilitate direct services.

In the area of health care, the INSS has focused its efforts on ensuring comprehensive coverage. It has eliminated the procurement of services from substandard clinics, requiring high-quality care that encompasses consultations, hospitalizations, and complex procedures. “Social security works to ensure that every medical condition is treated, safeguarding the rights of insured individuals and pensioners.” For highly specialized procedures, the institution coordinates complementary services with top-tier hospitals, including cardiac catheterization and surgery; spinal surgery; and neurological procedures. Cancer treatment has been strengthened with advanced technology, including the addition of strategic linear accelerators to the national hospital network. To ensure medical care in the various regions of the country, the INSS manages the company Servicios Médicos de Salud (SERMESA). Through SERMESA, hospitals are managed in strategic locations in addition to maintaining a robust network of hundreds of hemodialysis centers throughout the country. (La Primerisima, 18 August 2026)

2,779 Jinotega Children Treated at Mega Pediatrics Fair

The Mega Pediatrics Fair, organized by the Ministry of Health in the department of Jinotega, provided 8,697 specialized medical consultations to 2,779 children. In addition, 56 surgeries were performed during the medical event. Doctors conducted evaluations to detect and treat conditions affecting the heart, lungs, stomach, and nervous system. The consultations took place at the Adelina Ortega Castro Health Center in Santa María de Pantasma and at Victoria Motta Hospital in Jinotega. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/2026/08/16/dos-mil-ninos-de-jinotega-atendidos-en-mega-feria-de-pediatria/ (La Primerisima, 16 August 2026)

Gynecologists Treat 7,000 Rivas Residents at Mega Health Fair

7,333 women received free care from medical specialists during the Mega Health Fair held on August 15 in the department of Rivas. During the event, the doctors provided 9,477 consultations, including prenatal checkups, early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions, as well as ultrasounds, biopsies, and laboratory tests. The Mega Fair took place at the Gaspar García Laviana Departmental Hospital in Rivas, the Gaspar García Laviana Primary Hospital in San Juan del Sur, and the Gaspar García Laviana Technology Center in Tola. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/2026/08/16/ginecologos-atienden-a-mas-de-siete-mil-rivenses-en-mega-feria/ (La Primerisima, 16 August 2026)

60 New Buses from China Arrive in Managua

Danilo Sánchez, a member of the Regional Union of Public Transportation Cooperatives (URECOOTRACO) stated that the achievements in the transformation of transportation in Nicaragua are the result of the political will of the Sandinista government. “Today we are receiving 60 buses, and as you can see, these buses are special. They are for special places because the people here will also be able to transport their products using the cargo racks, and this will generate trade for the community,” he affirmed. “Co-Presidents Daniel and Rosario care deeply about the people and want them to travel with dignity. And just as importantly, the fares at many locations throughout Nicaragua—including those in Managua—are practically symbolic,” he noted. The arrival of this fleet of 60 vehicles marks a key step in the Sandinista government’s plan to modernize the national transportation system and guarantee to the population dignified, safe, and efficient mobility. According to Sánchez, this initiative strengthens the bonds of cooperation, brotherhood, and development between Nicaragua and China, reaffirming the government’s commitment to continue supporting the growth of modern infrastructure for the benefit of Nicaraguan families. (La Primerisima, 15 August 2026)