NicaNotes

August 6, 2026

By William Grigsby Vado

[William Grigsby Vado is a Nicaraguan journalist, FSLN Militant, and Director of Radio La Primerisima.]

Who can give us lessons in democracy? By what right? We know what it is, how it is built, and how it is defended. We know that democracy does not begin or end with elections. The Yankees told Somoza to hold elections, to commit fraud, and they also gave him the weapons and the money so that the people would remain poor and the country would remain subjected to imperialism. They called him a “democrat,” defended him everywhere, and held him up as an example of how to subjugate a people.

What greater democracy is there than the people’s insurrection to overthrow the Yankees’ puppet? Who made the decision to put an end to the Somoza dictatorship? The impoverished. Meanwhile, the rich and their lackeys were parasites of Somoza. They asked the National Guard to protect them, applauded Somocismo when it murdered the people, filled their pockets while the people died of hunger and lived in ignorance.

What greater democracy is there than the National Literacy Crusade? “To be educated is the only way to be free,” said Cuba’s National Hero, the poet José Martí. Democracy is ensuring that everyone knows how to read and write and has the right to education.

What greater democracy is there than eradicating polio, than vaccinating the entire population to prevent poor people from dying after contracting whooping cough, tetanus, or measles, among many other diseases? Democracy is protecting life.

What greater democracy is there than the armed defense of the homeland, led by the youth of the 1980s, true heroes of the people, who defeated the mercenaries armed and trained by the Yankees? Democracy is defending freedom and sovereignty with one’s own life.

What greater democracy is there than giving land to the peasants? Democracy is social justice.

What greater democracy is there than accepting our electoral defeat in 1990 and handing over the government to the Yankees’ puppets? The FSLN was the first party in Nicaragua’s history to come to power through armed struggle and peacefully hand over the government. That had never happened before. Democracy is recognizing the verdict of the ballot box.

What greater democracy is there than placing the people, the people themselves, at the center of all government and state activity? For centuries, those who hate us used the institutions and their armed forces to make the rich even richer and to murder anyone who fought for life and freedom. Democracy is for the people to rule—the People as President.

And so, we could offer hundreds of examples, such as what our government is doing now (yes, our government, the government of the Sandinistas and of the entire people: it is ours), multiplying schools, teachers, universities, hospitals, health centers, doctors, nurses, streets, highways, roads, bridges, housing, buses, and so on.

Democracy is defended with all the instruments of the State. With weapons, because the people are armed through their Army, their Police, and their Ministry of the Interior. With government action, improving the quality of life of all the people day by day. With the rule of law that the people themselves have built in order to create laws that allow us to defend life, peace, security, sovereignty, and the right to decide for ourselves what kind of society we want.

That is why we must shield our State and strengthen the legal framework that prevents the Yankees and Somocismo from taking advantage of any loophole with the aim of once again subjugating the people and the nation. The Yankees’ parties will never be allowed to participate in any electoral process, and therefore they will never return to government, nor will they ever witness elections in Nicaragua. Let them watch them from outside, on their computers paid for by the Yankees.

Sandino founded the homeland of all when, on May 4, he said no to the Yankees. He never surrendered. He never sold out. With a handful of barefoot, ragged men and women, he expelled the Yankees from the homeland’s soil. That is why they assassinated him.

Carlos Fonseca taught us that Sandinistas fight for a Revolution: “it is not simply about achieving a change of men in power, but a change of system, the overthrow of the exploiting classes and the victory of the exploited classes.”

The teachings of Sandino and Fonseca. That is exactly what we have done throughout our entire history as the Sandinista people. We overthrew the exploiting classes, we build people’s power, we pursue social justice, preserve national sovereignty, exercise self-determination, and defend the peace and security of everyone.

Under the leadership of Commander Daniel and of Rosario, with the FSLN as the greatest political instrument ever created in our country, we do all of this with dignity, generosity, patriotism, with weapons, with laws, with all the power of the people, obeying the people because we are servants of the people.

Thousands upon thousands of Nicaraguans have given their lives throughout our history for the cause of the people. We remain faithful to their sacrifice. Because the color of blood is never forgotten: we neither sell out nor surrender! Free Homeland or Death!

Briefs

By Nan McCurdy

Health System Reports Significant Reduction in Neonatal Mortality

The Ministry of Health reported on that, as of August, there has been a 15.8% reduction in neonatal mortality, dropping from 273 deaths in 2025 to 230 in 2026. A press release states that this achievement was made possible by the early identification of high-risk pregnancies, community support, and specialized care during childbirth. It also attributes the success to the ongoing training of healthcare teams in resuscitation and newborn care, as well as the strengthening of hospital units that provide care for newborns with complications. Efforts to strengthen specialized care and ensure better life opportunities for children are ongoing. (La Primerisima, 4 August 2026)

MINED Distributes Double Rations of Food for Schools in Dry Corridor

The third distribution of food for schools left the ENABAS (Nicaraguan Basic Foods Company) warehouses on July 30 to ensure that more than one million students in early childhood education, elementary school, special education, teacher training colleges, and rural distance learning programs receive meals from August through November when the school year ends. Education Minister Mendy Araúz noted that in eight departments across the country, the School Food Program will be distributed in double portions, as these areas are located in the dry corridor where rainfall has been sparce this rainy season. In total, more than 201,625 quintals (hundred weights) of food—including rice, corn, beans, fortified cereal (usually corn/soy), and more than 190,000 gallons of oil will be shipped. The first convoys are heading to schools in the South Caribbean Coast and Río San Juan regions, strengthening school meals for children and adolescents in some of the most remote regions. To ensure that the meals reach the schools, the National Police will escort the shipments to each department. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/2026/07/31/mined-distribuye-doble-racion-de-merienda-escolar-en-ocho-departamentos/  (La Primerisima, 31 July 2026)

Defense of Peace and Self-Determination

The first element of the electoral reforms currently being considered by the Nicaraguan National Assembly is Article 47 of the Constitution, which pertains to the political rights of Nicaraguan citizens. The president of the National Assembly, Dr. Gustavo Porras, stated that, “This article would read as follows: ‘Those who have financed coups, or who commit acts that undermine the independence, sovereignty, and self-determination of Nicaragua, may not run for office or hold public office’” He said that the prohibition also includes “traitors to the nation and those who violate or have violated the fundamental principles set forth in this Constitution.” (Informe Pastran, 29 July 2026)

Always with Palestine!

On July 29^th, the government released a statement in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The statement said, “The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity expresses its unwavering solidarity with the heroic Palestinian people, who continue to face suffering, occupation, destruction, and displacement perpetrated by the Zionist Government of Israel and its occupation forces. It also unequivocally condemns the attacks carried out by armed Israeli settlers—protected by their government—against the Palestinian civilian population in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, such as the recent atrocities committed in the village of Tal, acts that constitute an unacceptable escalation of violence against the Palestinian people.”

The statement also said, “We endorse and support all efforts aimed at achieving the Palestinian people’s unquestionable right to independence, sovereignty, and self-determination, based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions. The Nicaraguan people will continue to raise their voices in support of the Palestinian cause and to call for justice and peace, for the freedom and dignity of the Palestinian people; the two-state solution is an international imperative and the only path toward a just and lasting peace.” (El19, 29 July 2026)

MINSA Will Strengthen Quality Care for Cancer Patients

The Sandinista Government described its unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of families on the completion of the second phase of the Dr. Juan Ignacio Gutiérrez Sacasa National Cancer Center in Managua. More than US$6 million was invested in the project. The modern hospital infrastructure substantially strengthens the capacity for response, diagnosis, and treatment for cancer patients from throughout the country, ensuring care with high-quality standards, state-of-the-art technology, and specialized medical staff. The new features include a 640-slice CT scanner with integrated artificial intelligence, ensuring high-definition body scans in record time, and flow cytometers and molecular biology diagnostics, which allow for the highly specific identification of conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The hospital also has fixed and portable digital X-ray machines, an endoscopy tower, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, and nasofibroscope, a video colposcope and a thermocoagulator for gynecologic oncology care. Also included are a modernized pathology department, equipped with a tissue processor, microtome, biosafety cabinets, and an LED microscope; as well as facilities for pathology and a morgue. As part of the ongoing process of equipping and modernizing the facility, a state-of-the-art MRI machine will be installed in September, solidifying this healthcare complex’s position as one of the most modern in the region. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/2026/07/30/minsa-reforzara-atencion-de-calidad-a-pacientes-con-cancer/ (La Primerisima, 31 July 2026)

National Canine Rabies Vaccination Campaign Begins

As part of efforts to prevent disease and protect public health, the national canine rabies vaccination campaign began on August 3. During this campaign, health teams will visit neighborhoods to vaccinate dogs free of charge, helping to prevent rabies and improving the well-being of Nicaraguan families and their pets. Authorities urge the public to actively participate in this important campaign by bringing their dogs to be vaccinated or by working with the teams when they visit their homes. The goal is to administer 1,752,000 doses of vaccine to prevent rabies and protect families’ health by August 28, when the campaign ends. This is a yearly campaign. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/2026/08/03/inicia-campana-nacional-de-vacunacion-antirrabica-canina/ (La Primerisima, 3 August 2026)

Territorial Demarcation Advances on the South Caribbean Coast

As part of the progress in the territorial demarcation process on the South Caribbean Coast, the installation of secondary boundary markers began in the Kun Kun area, along the Kurinwas River. The installation of these markers represents an important step toward consolidating territorial organization and delimitation, promoting greater clarity regarding boundaries and strengthening the governance of Indigenous peoples and communities in the region. The process, coordinated with the National Demarcation and Titling Commission, aims to strengthen and define territorial boundaries more precisely, contributing to legal certainty, the protection of territories, and the exercise of the rights of Indigenous peoples and communities on the South Caribbean Coast.

Participating in the working tour were Judy Abraham, president of the Autonomous Regional Council of the South Caribbean Coast; legislator Bertha Levy; and Aisilda Taylor, mayor of the Mouth of the Río Grande, together with representatives of the Territorial Governments of Río Grande (Awaltara), Pearl Lagoon, and Tasba/Marshall. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/2026/08/03/avanza-demarcacion-territorial-en-la-costa-caribe-sur/   (La Primerisima, 3 August 2026)

Co-President Rosario Murillo Thanks European Solidarity Movement

Co-President Rosario Murillo, on behalf of the Nicaraguan people, thanked the European Movement of Solidarity with Nicaragua for commemorating the 40th anniversary of the internationalist heroes of the La Zompopera campaign in Jinotega in July 1986. “We want to thank the European Movement of Solidarity with Nicaragua for commemorating the 40th anniversary of La Zompopera, where heroes fell. They live on in all of us. A grateful Nicaragua honors these internationalist fighters who struggled for dignity and peace,” she stated. In her message, she read a letter written by the internationalist hero Berndt Koberstein days before he passed into immortality in the La Zompopera area. (Informe Pastran, 4 August 2026)

Monthly Employment Survey June 2026

The National Institute for Development Information (INIDE) released the preliminary results of the Monthly Employment Survey for June 2026. The report reveals a labor market with high employment and a year-over-year decline in open unemployment. Nationwide, the net employment rate stood at 97.8%, representing an increase of 0.6 percentage points compared to June 2025, when it was 97.2%. The open unemployment rate fell to 2.2%, a decrease of 0.6 compared to the 2.8% recorded a year earlier. By geographic area, rural areas recorded the highest employment rate at 98.6% and the lowest open unemployment rate at 1.4%. In urban areas, the net employment rate was 97.3% and the unemployment rate was 2.7%, while in Managua these indicators stood at 96.4% and 3.6%.  Regarding the distribution of employed persons by economic activity, the sectors with the greatest share were Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing at 24.9%, Trade at 23.1%, Community Services at 18.0%, Manufacturing at 10.0%, Construction at 6.8%, and Hotels and Restaurants at 6.4%. These six sectors accounted for 89.2% of the total employed population. By occupational category, wage earners accounted for 46.0% of the employed population, self-employed workers for 36.8%, unpaid workers for 11.1%, and employers for 6.2%. When broken down by sex, the labor force participation rate for men was 76.9% and for women, 53.2%. The net employment rate was slightly higher among women (97.9%) than among men (97.7%). Open unemployment stood at 2.3% for men and 2.1% for women. (Informe Pastran, 4 August, 2026)