From one day to the next, dozens of residents, originally from Chinandega, have left their community to start the journey towards North America, in particular, to the United States. Debts with more wealthy relatives or with lenders remain on their land to pay for the trip, others have sold a property or other assets such as vehicles and motorcycles to adjust.
Javier, who left on the fourth bus last Thursday afternoon, is the guide for three other young people from the municipality of El Viejo. They all got out of there. “I have experience because I traveled for the first time, I was there working, but I came back because of an opportunity that came up here. An aunt now gave me some money, which I will pay without interest”, said the boy who looked nervous before leaving.
He pointed out that in his suitcase he had 200 dollars, three long pants and three shorts. “When I need 200 or 300 dollars, I ask for it and they will deposit it for me, because carrying money is a risk, they rob you on the road,” she specified.
mass departures
Several members of two families have also left the Everth Mendoza-Monte Rosa Community, also in the El Viejo municipality, in the last few hours. They all plan to cross the Rio Grande and reach the other side, to the United States between the 17th and 25th of this month.
Javier says he respects the Rio Grande, but is not afraid of it. He points out that those who succumb in the river are out of desperation to get to the other side. “Yes, the river is strong and yes, it is dangerous, but the crossing must be calm. This is a tough journey, it’s heavy and when they reach the border people are desperate to cross, that’s where misfortune happens,” says the Nicaraguan.
In the border municipality of San Juan de Cinco Pinos, in Chinandega, the inhabitants are parading daily and the regions have become hamlets only for older people. “Here there are no boys left, no one is staying, they have deported some and they are leaving again,” said an inhabitant of the sector.
For Rigoberto, another who has decided to embark on the path, “migrating is more than a fashion, a necessity.” “It is the explanation that I see before so many residents who leave, is that the political and social situation is not for less. There is no work, there is no peace of mind, ”he warns.
each one a story
Everyone has a story they want to leave behind. Claudia, for example, owns a section of vegetables. One day in September of last year, she canceled the orders and emigrated in search of better financial stability, but these days, she assures that she is not happy and plans to return. “I told her to think about it and now she asks me to send her money to return,” a relative complained.
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Eddy, for his part, runs an electrical repair business. He recently fired a biological son and the second, who is foster. This Monday, the humble father confirmed that both are in Mexico but he has lost contact with the former. He fears the worst, but has faith that he will soon communicate with him or his brother.
The agony of isolation
Families say that some lose contact between 15 and 20 days and then report that they are on the other side. Others have already been there for a month and do not give any sign. “We have to be patient,” says a mother waiting to hear from her son, who left 31 days ago in search of opportunities.
Javier, who is heading north along highways, paths and trails, says that those who manage to get there and dedicate themselves to work will do well. “He who gets to live a life of partying, he fails,” he warns. He reminded that everyone who travels must think about the risks and prepare for it.
He does not forget that on November 5, a Nicaraguan of Chinandegan origin was viciously murdered in Mexico and that his family is now fighting to repatriate his remains. He also recalled that that same day, an excursion of Nicaraguans, mostly Chinandegans, was attacked in Guatemala by armed criminals, on that occasion, the driver of the “Excursiones Yesenia” bus died..
“That is the reality of the one who migrates. We are going according to the will of God, we hope not to return soon, neither alive nor dead, we hope to call our families to tell them; we arrived,” he added.
