(posted June 25, 4:10 p.m.)- The Nicaraguan-American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) released a statement this afternoon categorically rejecting President Daniel Ortega’s threats to block all U.S. aid to Nicaragua, warning such a move would cause “irreparable harm to our country.”
Yali Molina, president of AMCHAM
AMCHAM reminded President Ortega that the U.S. is Nicaragua’s principal trade partner, source of foreign-direct investment and source of tourism visits. In addition, AMCHAM added, there are more than 600,000 Nicaraguans living in the United States who help prop up Nicaragua’s economy by sending back some $900 million a year in remittances.
So escalating the conflict with the United States rather than addressing Nicaragua’s political problems, such as replacing the more than two dozen government officials who remain in office after their terms have expired, makes no sense, AMCHAM says.
“We categorically reject the public expressions made by those who in the past drove out country to unnecessary confrontation with the United States,” AMCHAM said.
[...] approval of the UAF on Monday and his recent threats against U.S. aid for civil society has suddenly opened a gaping sinkhole of discord between his administration and the country’s two [...]
“The real damage is done by those millions who want to ‘survive.’ The honest men who just want to be left in peace. Those who don’t want their little lives disturbed by anything bigger than themselves. Those with no sides and no causes. Those who won’t take measure of their own strength, for fear of antagonizing their own weakness. Those who don’t like to make waves—or enemies. Those for whom freedom, honour, truth, and principles are only literature. Those who live small, mate small, die small. It’s the reductionist approach to life: if you keep it small, you’ll keep it under control. If you don’t make any noise, the bogeyman won’t find you. But it’s all an illusion, because they die too, those people who roll up their spirits into tiny little balls so as to be safe. Safe?! From what? Life is always on the edge of death; narrow streets lead to the same place as wide avenues, and a little candle burns itself out just like a flaming torch does. I choose my own way to burn.”
― Sophie Scholl