NicaNotes
November 13, 2025
By Katherine Hoyt
[Katherine Hoyt is retired co-coordinator of the Nicaragua Network and the Alliance for Global Justice. She lived in Latin America for 18 years many years ago. To write this article she has shamelessly stolen entire sentences and even paragraphs from the statements on Venezuela of other like-minded organizations. She is sure they won’t mind!]
An emergency network, including the Alliance for Global Justice and the Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition, is calling for coordinated actions in the U.S. and internationally against U.S. attacks on Venezuela. November 15-23, 2025.
Protesters march in New York City against war on Venezuela in 2019. Photo: Workers World
We are seeing repeated extrajudicial killings of unidentified civilians in the Caribbean and Pacific by US military forces and the escalating risk of war against Venezuela. President Trump has sent a massive fleet of warships and war planes to waters off Venezuela while threatening Colombia and massing U.S. troops in the Caribbean. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is calling for the military overthrow of President Maduro in Venezuela and the replacement of President Petro in Colombia.
This is a build-up to another endless U.S. war – a war to militarize the whole Western Hemisphere.
Let’s organize rallies, street meetings, vigils, speak-outs, teach-ins, sign holdings at busy intersections, banner drops, protests at weapons manufacturers or Federal Buildings and events where pro-war politicians show up.
And, we will continue to mobilize in local and regional actions in December, focusing on the December 17thAnniversary of the death of Simon Bolivar, “The Great Emancipator” against colonial domination.
Here are some of the actions already planned: Berkeley, CA, will hold two teach-ins, one on Nov. 13th and another on the 15th; Brunswick, ME, plans a one-hour vigil; Minneapolis, MN, plans a rally and protest; Albany, NY, plans a vigil; New York City plans a rally and march in front of one of Trump’s Buildings; Brooklyn, NY, plans a broadcast on WBAI Radio with audience participation; Portland, OR, plans talks and education at the Central Library with a march to a rally at Pioneer Square; Tucson plans a program on “Venezuela and the Struggle against War and Fascism” and also a demo at a Ford agency whose owner is a MAGA funder; Cleveland, OH, plans a rally; Seattle, WA, plans a program on the history of US intervention in Venezuela and the achievements of the Bolivarian Revolution; Green Bay, WI, plans a Banner drop on the CVS at the corner of Webster and Main; and Tulsa, OK, plans a protest.
Background
Using the false claim that it is combating drug trafficking, U.S. missiles have murdered crews of small boats (76 killed so far from 4 countries) off the coast of Venezuela and in the Pacific without evidence or due process of law. The extrajudicial killing of civilians by the U.S. military is a violation of customary international law and international human rights law, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protects the right to life and due process, and to which the United States is a party. Senator Rand Paul (a Republican!) has stated, “It isn’t our policy just to blow people up […] We arrest people. […] even the worst people in our country, if we accuse somebody of a terrible crime, they still get a trial.”
These strikes are not authorized under U.S. domestic law. Section 2(c) of the War Powers Resolution of 1973 states that the constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce U.S. armed forces may only be exercised pursuant to “(1) a declaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization, or (3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.” These conditions have clearly not been met. Congress must reassert its war powers and put a stop to these unlawful strikes.
In the weeks preceding the strikes, the Trump administration doubled the reward offered for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Although the Venezuelan economy is improving, extreme economic sanctions over many years fueled a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the country and the migration of millions of Venezuelans to neighboring countries and the United States.
This move towards all-out war has nothing to do with drug trafficking. But the United States has used it to justify its dangerous military escalation against Venezuela despite the fact that Venezuela is a relatively minor player in drug trafficking. Venezuela does not produce significant quantities of cocaine or fentanyl. Recent U.S. government estimates suggest that only a few of cocaine shipments bound for the U.S. are moved through Venezuela. Nevertheless, the first two boats that were attacked were reportedly from Venezuela; President Trump claimed that their occupants were members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA), a criminal gang from Venezuela that has played a marginal role in drug trafficking to the United States. Although the administration has alleged that TdA is controlled by Maduro, the U.S. government’s own intelligence agencies have contradicted this claim. The administration has accused him of being the head of the “Cartel de los Soles” despite experts disputing the very existence of such a cartel, much less Maduro’s leadership of it.
The real reason for the military actions is that Venezuela has the greatest known oil reserves in the world – five times the U.S. oil reserves. The Venezuelan government refuses to be dominated by the U.S. It is determined to use its own oil, gas, coal, diamond and gold resources for healthcare, housing and education for the people of Venezuela, not for U.S. billionaires.
It is time to take to the streets and resist these U.S. government and corporate attacks on people in Venezuela, Colombia, all Latin America and the Caribbean, while militarizing our own country and repressing the people of the U.S.
Let’s join together, November 15 – 23, and build actions in cities, towns and campuses throughout the country. Let the war makers know that we are opposed to war on people anywhere in our Americas – a zone of Peace across our hemisphere.
Briefs
By Nan McCurdy
100 New Homes for Families in Managua
In commemoration of the 49th anniversary of the death of FSLN founder Carlos Fonseca Amador, the Managua City Council handed over the keys to 100 new homes located in the Camino del Río development, as part of the Bismarck Martínez Housing Program. Enrique Armas, deputy mayor of Managua, reported that with this new delivery, 9,006 families have benefited from the Bismarck Martínez Housing Program, thus restoring decent housing to thousands of Nicaraguans. Armas announced that a fully equipped and secure educational center is being built, and that there will also be a gym in the area. (Informe Pastran, 7 November 2025)
Second National Vaccination Campaign 2025 begins in Managua
At this time of year, when colder, dry weather can influence the spread of the influenza virus and increase the risk of infection, it is important to get vaccinated against this disease. That is what 72-year-old Eloy Carrión did, taking advantage of the fact that the Ministry of Health (MINSA) had just launched its Second National Vaccination Campaign of the year in the community park of Colonia Cristian Pérez near his home. Mother Cristina Núñez said, “Getting children vaccinated should be a priority. I came with my four-month-old daughter, had her vaccinated, and now I feel at ease because I know that this vaccine will prevent several diseases. I am grateful to the government and I urge other mothers to have their children vaccinated.”
This National Vaccination Campaign guarantees free immunization against various diseases. A call was made to the population to go to health centers for the shots or open the doors of their homes so that health workers can administer the respective doses to each person. “Each of these elements is part of our campaign strategy, which always includes door-to-door visits to homes, reaching out to the community and families so that we can complete the vaccination schedules, update the vaccination schedules for each child and adult, and we also have the school strategy,” said Dr. Meyling Mora, head of the Expanded Immunization Program.
Thanks to these types of campaigns, every year communities are healthier as immunization against diseases is guaranteed, all under a free, high-quality public health system. Dr. Mora explained, “Nationwide, we are going to administer 212,000 doses of vaccines. In the department of Managua, we are going to administer 49,020 doses, including the polio, measles, rubella, mumps, whooping cough, COVID, and tetanus vaccines. We are going to administer tetanus vaccines to pregnant women. From early pregnancy we are covering those mothers.” See photos: https://www.el19digital.com/articulos/ver/170732-inicia-segunda-campana-nacional-de-vacunacion-2025-en-managua (El19, 10 November 2025)
Mammograms and Ultrasounds Guaranteed at Health Fairs
The Ministry of Health reported that during the week of November 10-15, general and specialized medical care will be provided to 147,641 families in 2,551 neighborhoods and communities throughout the country, through 1,424 Health Fairs and Mobile Clinics.
It was reported that, as part of this program, 89 Health Fairs will be held with specialist care, mammograms, and breast ultrasounds, through the “My Hospital in My Community” strategy. (La Primerisima, 6 November 2025)
Record Exports in Coffee and Cacao
A new report from the National Production, Consumption, and Trade System reveals that exports for the year so far have totaled US$2.7 billion, 84.4% of the target, with a 4.7% increase in volume and better prices. Coffee exports generated US$852.2 million, an increase of 102.8% in volume and 127.4% in value, a remarkable 69.3% more than in 2024. Meanwhile, 225,100 quintals of cacao were produced, generating US$34.1 million, 46.7% more in volume than last year.
National Technological Institute offers 79 degree programs for 2026
For the first time in the country, a technical degree program in heavy vehicle mechanics will be offered as part of INATEC’s new academic offerings for the 2026 school year.
With the slogan “Choose a future of opportunities,” the authorities of the National Technical and Technological Institute presented the educational offering of 79 technical degree programs, distributed across three sectors. Esmeralda Aguilar, deputy director of professional training, explained that, in accordance with the country’s investment projects, there is a need to offer a degree program in heavy vehicle mechanics. She clarified that currently they only offer training in automotive mechanics for light vehicles and motorcycles. Aguilar said that the new program will be available in 2026 at technology centers in the department of Chinandega. She added that, in the productive sector, INATEC offers 30 technical programs in commerce, services, hospitality, and tourism, 11 of which are online. Meanwhile, in the industry and construction sector, there are 30 more programs, two of which are online. There are 19 technical degrees in the agricultural and forestry sector, 11 of which are online. In addition, 25 technical degree allow for educational continuity at public universities in the country.
The 2026 educational program incorporates key innovations. Palm oil processing and palm oil production are offered both online and in person. The courses for technical specialist in English are in person, with a focus on language proficiency as a professional tool. All programs integrate English language learning at levels A1, A2, and B1, strengthening the competitiveness of graduates in the national and international labor market. (La Primerisima, 6 November 2025)
Unity, Cohesion, and Loyalty, to Strengthen Peace and Defeat Poverty
On Nov. 8, Co-President Daniel Ortega gave a speech at the ceremony commemorating the 46th anniversary of the Ministry of the Interior (MINT) and the 49th anniversary of the death of FLSN founder Carlos Fonseca Amador.
Co-President Ortega urged the people to promote unity as an essential value for maintaining peace and confronting poverty and the divisions imposed by the imperialists. “We have to eradicate extreme poverty in Nicaragua, and for this, unity is essential, and for unity, peace is essential,” he emphasized.
In his message, Ortega highlighted the revolutionary struggle led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front, from its first guerrilla actions to the triumph against the Somoza dictatorship on July 19, 1979. He noted that Comandante Carlos Fonseca’s transition to immortality occurred practically on the eve of the triumph over the Somoza dictatorship. “Practically on the eve of victory, our brother Carlos fell in combat, there in the mountains, where the prevailing concept was that guerrilla detachments would have to be organized and trained in the mountains and then descend to liberate the cities. Carlos was heading toward the main camp, which had already been decimated by Somoza’s genocidal guard. He was marching toward the main camp. Why? Because a division had arisen in the Front. There was a division; some comrades simply did not recognize Carlos’ leadership, and two other comrades were debating the issue, in discussions, in dialogue, in meetings. Why? So that the Front could unite and not continue fighting divided.”
He went on to say, “And today, Nicaraguan brothers and sisters, Nicaraguan families, we are seeing the results of cohesion, of the unity of the people, of the unity of families, of cohesion and unity among young people, cohesion and unity among workers, cohesion and unity among the combatants of the Ministry of the Interior, cohesion and unity within the Nicaraguan Army.”
Ortega reiterated that in order to continue promoting programs combatting poverty, unity and cohesion are always essential in all institutions, throughout the state, in neighborhoods, in all districts, municipalities, and among all Nicaraguan people, so that Nicaraguans can continue building homes and so that farmers in the countryside can continue harvesting food and multiplying their yields. See photos:; https://www.el19digital.com/articulos/ver/170676-comandante-daniel-unidad-cohesion-y-lealtad-para-seguir-fortaleciendo-la-paz-y-derrotar-la-pobreza (El 19, 8 November, 2025)
