Abstract
Nicaragua’s history is characterized as a process of invariable social and political instability where power has been concentrated in a few hands and is in constant crisis. In this chapter crisis is understood as context, that is, a constant and not a triggering agent for normative change in Nicaragua. This continuing historical crisis has an impact on migratory flows that head in large numbers toward Costa Rica, where such sizeable influx of people unleashes crises from the perspective of a breakdown of normality and internal dynamics result in the country. This rupture, or crisis, results in the overcrowding of public assistance services and difficulties for the reception and socioeconomic inclusion of migrants. To reckon crisis as context in Nicaragua could contribute to improve decision-making initiatives and sound policies aimed at preparing institutions and civil society organizations in Costa Rica to deal in better ways with migratory flows, especially those of big dimensions.
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Notes
- 1.
Morales (2007) identifies three great historical moments of migration dynamics from Nicaragua to Costa Rica: (1) the flow of labor to the banana enclave in the nineteenth century, (2) forced displacement because of the armed conflict in the 1980s, and (3) labor migration as a consequence of the internationalization of the labor market in the region. In this paper, a fourth moment is proposed, also defined as forced migration as a result of the persecution and repression of the population opposed to the Ortega-Murillo regime.
- 2.
On April 18, 2018, the largest social upheaval that has occurred in the course of the Daniel Ortega regime (in power since 2007) in Nicaragua took place; this event will be explained later. Among its effects are the persecution, repression, illegal detention, and the murder of people opposed to the Daniel Ortega administration. It is the moment from which a long latency period of the conflict is identified that has not allowed a return to peace and social stability.
- 3.
We deeply appreciate all the people who gave us their time and trust to be interviewed, as well as the colleagues who provided us with contacts or suggestions for this article.
- 4.
The Somoza dynasty began with Anastasio Somoza García (president from 1934 to 1956) and, later, the sons: Luis Somoza Debayle (1956–1963) and Anastasio Somoza Debayle (1967–1979).
- 5.
It is important to note that as of August 2021, the repression, apprehensions, and migration continue.
- 6.
Referring to the events that have developed since April 2018
- 7.
“Currently, the majority of world countries are generators, transit or hosts of migration flows and in economic terms, it can be said that practically there is no country that is not receiving or exporting labor, whether qualified or not, documented or undocumented. Therefore, migration is not exclusive to a single region of the world…” (Cerritos, 2005, p. 9).
- 8.
The most recent reliable data on the percentage of the Nicaraguan population in the country are available in the last census carried out in 2011, where 74.57% of the total of immigrants are Nicaraguans; by then immigrants represented 9% of the Costa Rican population.
- 9.
For further information, review Benavides (2021)
- 10.
Data provided by the DGMEM, July 2020
- 11.
The work permit is granted 3 months after the refugee request has been made. Notwithstanding, in some cases the delivery times for this document (which precedes the refugee claimant ID and works temporarily as an identification document) in 2018 exceeded this time frame. In July 2021, an agreement was reached for people to receive the work permit at the same time as the refugee request.
- 12.
- 13.
Known as “Parque de la Merced,” this venue has been the physical place used by the Nicaraguan people and which somehow gives them a sense of belonging to their country; it is a symbolic space where they share meals and conversations.
- 14.
Preschool, primary, and secondary education in Costa Rica is free. It is also compulsory for minors between four and 15 years old.
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Benavides, C., Amador, M.A. (2022). Nicaraguans in Costa Rica: Continued Crisis as Context in Nicaragua and as Breakdown of Normality in Costa Rica. In: Coraza de los Santos, E., Arriola Vega, L.A. (eds) Crises and Migration. Latin American Societies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07059-4_9
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