US Retaliation

“Nicaragua Steals the Spotlight in Global Tourism Fairs,” read a headline in Travel and Tour World on 15 November, highlighting Nicaragua’s performance at recent industry events in the United Kingdom, China, Germany, and Canada. “Nicaragua is rapidly becoming one of the most talked-about destinations for international tourists,” the article gushed. Two days later on 17 November, the United States Embassy in Nicaragua announced new visa restrictions on representatives of Nicaraguan transportation companies, travel agencies, and tour operators. In a statement, the embassy claimed those affected had been “identified as knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States.”