The regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo announced the creation of the Nicaraguan Atomic Energy Commission for Peaceful Purposes, through presidential agreement 16-2022 published in the Gazetteofficial newspaper of the State, this Monday, August 29.
This Commission will work in the offices of the Nicaraguan Council of Science and Technology (Conicyt), an entity attached to the Vice Presidency of the Republic, by Murillo.
The head of Conicyt, a position held by the former head of the Army, Retired General Moises Omar Halleslevens, will be the one in charge of presiding over the Commission. The decree establishes that the Commission will have a direct allocation of funds for its operation, coming from the General Budget of the Republic.
Nicaragua does not have the infrastructure or capacity to develop nuclear energy, but the Commission will have as its objective “to promote the use and development of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, in agriculture, medicine, industry, science, technology, environmental surveillance and other aspects. related”.
One of the most striking functions of the Commission is to “promote the design and construction of nuclear research facilities, particle accelerators, neutron generators and other sources of ionizing radiation for use in agriculture, medicine, industry, science , technology, environmental surveillance, and other aspects related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy”.
The Commission will also be in charge of studying the possibilities of building facilities such as nuclear science and technology centers in Nicaraguan territory.
Another function of the Commission is “to promote the provision of services for the management of nuclear materials, as well as products, equipment containing nuclides.”
In addition to Conicyt, the Commission will be made up of a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nicaraguan ArmyMinistry of Health, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Nicaraguan Institute of Agricultural Technology, Institute of Agricultural Protection and Health and the Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce.
Outer Space Affairs
The decree is very reminiscent of the law for the creation of a National Secretariat for Outer Space Affairsthe Moon and other Celestial Bodies, also promoted by Ortega and approved in the National Assembly by the deputies of the dictatorship and their political allies.
One of the functions of this Secretariat is “to promote the development of space activities to expand the country’s capacities in the educational, industrial, scientific and technological branches in this area.”
Another function that stands out is “to promote the development of space systems and the means, technology and infrastructure necessary for the consolidation and autonomy of this sector in Nicaragua.”
This office is made up of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Nicaraguan Army, Telcor, the Nicaraguan Institute for Territorial Studies, and the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics.
Scientists and academics questioned this initiative, arguing that Nicaragua does not have the resources or the scientific training to join the missions led by some powers such as the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia; and neither to those of neighboring countries, such as Costa Rica.
