Ana Gomes’ Tweets Give Voice to Nicaraguans

January 29, 2019

Nicaragua

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Ana Gomes, Member of the European Parliament, recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Nicaragua. Gomes, as I noted in a prior post, documented the visit using her cellphone and then shared her impressions via Twitter. On January 28, Gomes posted more testimonies and messages from Nicaraguans who have been denied a voice under the OrMu dictatorship.

Nicaragua can’t breathe. The last words of my son, Gerald Vasquez [were] “Viva Nicaragua Libre”
We demand truth, justice without impunity. Stay strong, Nicaragua, like our political prisoners say.
Stay strong, Nicaragua. Long live a free Nicaragua!
[Group sings national anthem]

Gomes posted more photos and videos from the visit to La Esperanza. In one thread, she describes the briefing they received, prior to entering the prison.

Gomes also recorded her interviews with several prisoners, who spoke about the conditions inside the prison, the circumstances of their “capture”, and their current state.

My name is Brenda. I’ve been here for six months. They grabbed me on July 15. I am a single mother. I have three kids. I am mother and father to my kids. […] I’ve been to the courts three times, twice in Granada and once in Managua. I’ve been processed, but I don’t know when I’ll be sentenced. [I was imprisoned] simply for raising my voice; I am here [for saying] Viva Nicaragua Libre. I have 37 charges against me. I am not a healthy woman. I have problems with my liver, my kidneys. I have high blood pressure and cardiopathy, and I need help and my freedom.

I gave up my children three months ago, because if they come here, [OrMu prison guards] photograph them and those pictures end up on [OrMu] television stations and on the internet.

Ana Gomes: you’re trying to protect them, then.

Prisoner 1: yes, because of the persecution.

AG: how old are your children?

P1: they’re nine, eight, and five years old

AG: Are they with their father?

P1: They’re with my mom. It is very sad

AG: It is very difficult.

P1: I don’t talk to them. I don’t see them. I have no way of communicating with them.

AG: are you the only one with children?

P1: She has three kids

P2: I haven’t seen my kids in seven months.

AG: Neither of you have seen your kids at all?

[prisoners nod]

P1: It’s hard. I’ve only seen my mom, my dad, and my aunt.

AG: are your kids with your mom too?

P2: They’re with their dad.

AG: This must be very hard for you.

P1: Sometimes we feel like we can’t go on, but we gather strength. Yesterday was a bad day

 

I worked for the city of Leon. I am the sister of a hero and martyr of 1979. My mother is a historic collaborator*, Sandinista. I, too was a Sandinista, since the 1980s until now. I won’t deny it. I was a member of the Sandinista Youth, and I worked for my people; as a leader, I supported my community [by supporting projects] that benefited them, such as projects benefiting school-aged children, like communal dining halls for the children; but I also supported the community around Christmas time, food drives, fund drives, and recreational activities. We had projects in El Fortin, in Leon, and we went there with food and clothing, and we cooked and provided recreation .

I did not participate in any of the blue and white marches. I didn’t go because I’m in poor health, and if I did go to marches, two or three times, those were organized by the Sandinistas, and I had to go because of my work. They told me to do it, and I went, but only for short periods because of my disability.

I came here walking, and now I can’t walk. I got sick. I passed out, and they took me to the hospital, and they gave me treatment .

[*note: a “historic collaborator” is an honorific title, for people who helped and supported Sandinista guerrillas during the war against Somoza].

 

[I was accused of having] chemical and nuclear weapons. Can you imagine?

AG: you’re accused of that?

Prisoner 1: It was a totally absurd trial. It was illegal and illegitimate. I was sentenced along with my sister.

AG: how were you imprisoned? what were the circumstances?

Prisoner 2: My sister and I went to a peaceful protest march. When we left the march. we caught a raid on a pick up truck, and they were grabbing everyone.

Prisoner 2: The paramilitaries grabbed us when we were headed to Managua, to take part in a march. They grabbed us; they shot up our pick up truck; they beat us, and they took us to El Chipote.

MEP Gomes has left us an invaluable visual record of this moment in Nicaraguan history. It is truly remarkable that she was able to to this, so that these voices can be heard.

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1 Comment

  1. Dvora

    When this nightmare has passed, Ana Gomes name should be inscribed in the hall of remembrance, “Righteous Among the Nicaraguenses”

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