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| Central American University - UCA |
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Number 167 | Junio 1995 |
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Nicaragua
NICARAGUA BRIEFS
THE TEACHERS STRIKE: A VICTORY?
After 43 days, the teachers' strike in Nicaragua ended April 10 with the help of a pluralist mediating commission. The government increased their monthly salary by 40 córdobas (under $6) and promised to reincorporate the fired teachers and increase salaries somewhat more in 1996. According to the strike organizers, the victory was more political than economic, expressed in society's unanimous support of the teachers' demands and the government's isolation. Even that may have been overstated however; Minister of Education Humberto Belli, who seems to not to be particularly bothered by unpopularity, reportedly continued firing teachers who had been active in the strike even after it was over.
THE FUTURE: A DESERT?
The Nicaraguan Environmental Movement (MAN) in Matagalpa denounced the destruction of 50% of the Bosawás Reserve, one of Central America's most important lungs. MAN accused government officials past and present (including President Chamorro's first Minister of Government Carlos Hurtado) and army officers of irrationally exploiting the forests and fauna in this zone and reaping earnings that could add up to $100 million a year. "If this situation continues," warned MAN, "the future will offer us a Central American desert by the year 2000."
THE VIRGIN OF CUAPA STRIKES AGAIN
The Virgin Mary seems to have joined the general criticisms of the Chamorro administration. May 8 was the 15th anniversary of her alleged appearance to peasant Bernardo Martínez in Cuapa, Chontales, on that occasion to criticize the revolutionary government. In the commemorations, Bernardo (now a deacon) publicly revealed the latest revelations he has received from the Virgin of Cuapa: she showed him a map of Nicaragua, all full of dirty charcoal, like dead animals, and above them swarms of flies. They were, he said, "the collective sins committed by the people of Nicaragua, their government, ministers and advisers."
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a monthly magazine of analysis on Central America