The Nicaraguan government took a step back on Friday to a regulation issued in the middle of the month in which tourists were restricted from entering the country with photographic and video cameras, except for those who obtained a guarantee from a state entity.
The government spokesperson and vice president, Rosario Murillo, said that by decision of her husband, President Daniel Ortega, the “obstacle” to the introduction of photographic or filming equipment was removed and he based himself on tourist reasons to argue the fact.
“There are more and more people interested in visiting us, in bird watching, for example, many people come to see birds, many people come to tour our patrimonial beauties, many people come to live with us in this safe, beautiful, calm and blessed Nicaragua. ”, argued Murillo on Friday.
Tourism is one of the main sources of income in Nicaragua, according to official data. From January to October 2022, the country received around 612,000 foreigners and projections of 800,000 were estimated at the end of the year.
Despite Ortega’s measure would affect this area, but it also sought to further censor the press, independent journalists told the voice of americawho at the same time criticized that, while the president imposed restrictions on tourist audiovisual equipment, he allowed Russian and Chinese agencies to film freely.
In fact, Murillo referred in his speech to a documentary produced days ago by the Russia Today (RT) channel, which has a presence in Nicaragua.
“A week ago the RT team was… filming all that beautiful volcanic chain, taken care of because it is dangerous, we have to take care of it, which distinguishes us because everyone says Lands of Lakes and Volcanoes,” said Murillo.
Nicaragua has been experiencing a political crisis since 2018, when protests against Ortega arose. Since then, the country has lived in “a de facto state of siege,” according to human rights organizations.
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channel Youtube and activate notifications, or follow us on social networks: Facebook, Twitter and instagram.
