I. Introduction: Poverty as a Political Weapon
In Nicaragua, economic hardship is not only the result of mismanagement and corruption but also a deliberate tool of political repression. The Ortega-Murillo government has weaponised economic policies to punish dissent, restrict opportunities, and maintain control over citizens’ lives. This practice of economic persecution—denying jobs, resources, and livelihoods to perceived opponents—has left families destitute and forced countless Nicaraguans into exile. Migration is not only an escape from poverty but also a flight from systemic discrimination tied directly to political loyalty.

II. Economic Collapse Under Authoritarian Rule
Nicaragua’s economy has steadily deteriorated under the weight of authoritarian rule, corruption, and international isolation. Once reliant on agriculture and small-scale industry, the country now suffers from declining exports, rising inflation, and widespread unemployment. The collapse of democratic institutions has exacerbated economic woes, as investors withdraw and the state prioritises loyalty over competence in economic management.

III. Targeting Political Opponents Economically
The government routinely uses economic measures to punish dissidents and their families. Opposition members are fired from state jobs, barred from accessing public contracts, and denied licenses for businesses. Farmers and small entrepreneurs who refuse to demonstrate loyalty to the regime often lose access to credit, land titles, or subsidies. This deliberate economic exclusion turns livelihoods into political bargaining chips, coercing compliance and silencing dissent.

IV. Confiscation of Property and Assets
Confiscation of property has become another tool of repression. Homes, businesses, and church properties belonging to critics of the government are seized under fabricated legal justifications. These confiscations not only impoverish individuals but also send a chilling message to society: opposition carries not only personal risks but also economic ruin.

V. Restrictions on NGOs and Humanitarian Aid
Civil society organisations, many of which provide humanitarian aid, face severe restrictions. The government has cancelled the legal status of thousands of NGOs, seized their assets, and banned foreign funding. This crackdown undermines vital social support networks, leaving vulnerable families without aid and deepening widespread poverty. The targeting of NGOs demonstrates how the government weaponises economics to suppress independent voices.

VI. Economic Consequences of the 2018 Protests
The mass protests of 2018 and the brutal government response had devastating economic consequences. Tourism collapsed, foreign investment plummeted, and international sanctions further strained the economy. While ordinary citizens bore the brunt of these hardships, the regime enriched itself through corruption, patronage networks, and control of state resources. The result was an uneven economy where loyalty to the regime determined access to survival.

VII. Rising Poverty and Unemployment
Nicaragua now faces rising levels of poverty and unemployment. Inflation has eroded wages, and many families cannot afford basic necessities such as food, medicine, and housing. The middle class has largely disappeared, replaced by a stark divide between regime elites and struggling citizens. For many, migration becomes the only path to financial stability and survival.

VIII. Impact on Education and Healthcare
Education and healthcare—once considered achievements of the Sandinista revolution—have deteriorated sharply. Schools lack resources, teachers are underpaid, and political indoctrination overshadows quality education. Healthcare facilities suffer from shortages of medicine, equipment, and staff, leaving patients without adequate care. Those perceived as regime opponents are often denied services, further entrenching economic persecution.

IX. The Human Toll of Economic Persecution
For ordinary Nicaraguans, economic persecution translates into daily suffering. Families face hunger, children drop out of school to work, and communities lose access to vital services. The deliberate exclusion of dissidents from economic life tears apart social fabric, leaving scars that extend beyond immediate financial hardship.

X. Migration as Economic and Political Refuge
The convergence of poverty and political repression drives thousands of Nicaraguans to flee each year. Costa Rica has become the primary destination, but many also travel to the United States, Spain, and other countries. For exiles, migration is not only an escape from economic hardship but also a refuge from systemic persecution that denies them the ability to live with dignity at home.

XI. Diaspora Support and Remittances
The growing Nicaraguan diaspora plays a vital role in sustaining those left behind. Remittances provide a lifeline for millions of families, often accounting for a significant share of household income. At the same time, exiled Nicaraguans advocate internationally, exposing the government’s abuses and keeping pressure on the regime.

XII. Conclusion: Exile as the Price of Survival
Economic persecution in Nicaragua illustrates how authoritarian regimes weaponise livelihoods to maintain control. By denying access to jobs, property, and services, the Ortega-Murillo government has created conditions where survival itself depends on loyalty. For those unwilling to submit, migration becomes the only viable option. As long as economic repression remains a cornerstone of governance, Nicaragua’s exodus will continue, reshaping the nation both at home and abroad.