News Analysis. The recent narco-scandal that has rattled Nicaragua’s quaint self-image and cast an even darker shadow of doubt across the already lightless Supreme Electoral Council (CSE), presents both an enormous challenge and a unique opportunity for the Sandinista administration....

A group of 15 civil society organizations released a joint statement today demanding the removal of all de facto magistrates in the Supreme Electoral Council (CSE). “A total change of all the magistrates in the Supreme Electoral Council is more...

MANAGUA—After years of basking in impunity amid repeated complaints of corruption, election fraud and malfeasance, the Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) is finally being investigated following the arrest of substitute de facto Magistrate  Julio César Osuna, who faces charges of organized...

(posted May 27, 8:00 p.m.)- The National Police this weekend arrested 11 more suspects allegedly involved in Central America’s biggest drug cartel, including substitute Supreme Electoral Council Magistrate (CSE) Julio César Ozuna and two Colombian men wanted by Interpol. The...

Nicaragua’s homicide rate—already the second-lowest in the region behind Costa Rica—dipped even lower last year to 12 murders for every 100,000 people, strengthening the country’s claim to the superlative distinction of “safest in Central America,” according to National Police. Police...

(posted May 3, 12:15 p.m.)- Eight people were reportedly killed and two others seriously injured in an ambush in the rural municipality of La Cruz de Río Grande, in the South Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS), according to daily El Nuevo...

(posted April 15, 10:30 p.m.)- Five foreign tourists—three Australians and two Danes—were assaulted, tied up and robbed while traveling on a microbus through the northern town of Somotillo, according to a report in El Nuevo Diario. The five tourists—four men...

U.S. domestic policies have significant consequences for criminal violence in Central America. The United States is the top consumer of illegal drugs in the world, yet focuses much of its attention and resources on the supply side of the equation...

(posted March 11, 8:30 a.m.)- The National Police released a short press statement Saturday afternoon saying that Julio Centeno Caffarena, the 52-year-old son of the Attorney General by the same name, died due to an self-afflicted “accidental gunshot” with a...

(posted March 5, 2:00 p.m.)- The American Chamber of Commerce is expressing alarm over a recent wave of crime in recent days, including a brazen armed assault on two trucks carrying $1 million in computer equipment belonging to the company...