Americas-MOAS

This article talked about a fairly new way that Antigua and Barbuda was using tourism to their advantage. The nation is now selling citizenship for 200,000 to invest in health care and education. While this seems relatively positive the IMF believes that they should be used in different ways, and that they are "inherently volatile". However it was interesting to me that the selling of citizenships now accounts for 25% of government revenue. This article helped me to understand the economy of Antigua and Barbuda, and showed a positive way that they were using their tourism.

This article shows that marijuana is becoming more frequently used in secondary schools. Antigua and barbuda has almost identical data to this for T&T. Not only has it been more apparent, but also starting to be used at younger ages like 13.

This page explains a 5 year plan with the OAS and CICAD to combat drug trafficking and to fight crime involving drugs. It says that most crime is about money so if they combat money laundering, they can prevent more crime involving drugs.

This is about another major drug bust in Antigua involving marijuana. This shows how it is a hotspot for supplying drugs to the US because of the vast amounts of US currency found. It also shows how it can be easy to transport it because of vehicles like speedboats. The police are working to end it but it won't be easy.

Earlier in 2016, there was a large drug bust in Antigua. This article shows how drugs are easy to access in the Islands because of the large quantities. It also shows how major charges can be for possession of the drugs.

This article highlights some of the positive change the Ortega family has brought to Nicaragua, despite being flooded with reports of corruption, but it shows how divided the country is. There are contras roaming the country, and have been doing so for 25 years, who refuse to step down, and now finance their resistance by working with cartels within Nicaragua. It seems as though chaos has decided to run through Nicaragua. Additionally, we are able to see that under the current president poverty has decreased and new millionaires have increased. It seems as though a few people have a high concentration of the money in Nicaragua.

Although Nicaragua is doing a good job fending off corruption considering where the country is located, corruption is beginning to seep into the government. Based off of this article it seems as if it would be a nearly impossible task to keep Nicaragua from turning into a mini-Honduras or El Salvador, where corruption and gangs rule. Additionally, the government seems divided at the higher and lower levels, as the lower levels of the government have been taken over by gang members, and they have allowed terrorists from numerous countries to gain citizenship. It seems as though the best course of action that Nicaragua could take is unifying the government, and supporting the economy so that the government does not have to play into gang's desires.

Although this island may be insignificant in the grand scheme of things, the Nicaraguan government seems desperate to cash in on anything the country's natural resources has to offer. The idea seems like a good small one, but would not be useful for giving the economy much 'kick'. Nicaragua has a lot to offer in terms of natural resources, but it is in my opinion that they should not overuse the land.

Nicaragua seems to be blatantly attempting to pull the wool over the eyes of the indigenous people, but not expecting to get caught. From what I have previously read Nicaragua wants to be a player on the world stage, but they cannot achieve this status if they are not treating their people humanely. Although the government did get the indigenous group the Rama to sign documents that allowed the canal to be built on their land, government representatives knowingly had illiterate members of the Rama sign these official land documents. The indigenous people of Nicaragua deserve to be better informed about the canal, and the government owe the people understanding.

CARICOM seems to be a big step forward for Nicaragua being recognized on a larger stage than just the Caribbean, in addition with the planned canal. In the article they point out that CARICOM had previously been associated with Nicaragua through numerous organizations such as Association of Caribbean States, therefore showing that Nicaragua has demonstrated the desire to be recognized as a powerhouse rather than just another country.

It was interesting to read this article, after hearing no mention of the First Lady previously. Nicaraguans see Rosario Murillo as their 'mother', who many are able to look up to in a time of crisis while their president is worrying about his own family (such as during the earthquake in April 2014). We are able to learn from this by seeing the dominance of one couple over this entire country, and their need for power. If they are not reigned in, what will they do to ensure their dominance in Nicaragua?

Nicaragua is on a dangerous pathway in the pursuit of a canal that may not ever be made; there are human rights violations, environmental violations, and the economy on the line if the deal goes through. Although I am unsure of how significant the indigenous population is in Nicaragua, the canal would require a great deal of land, and the movement of between 30 thousand and 120 thousand people.

Nicaragua's economy appears to be desperate for growth, so desperate that the government is taking the canal into serious consideration. Although the canal seems as though it would be beneficial, in the long run there would be serious environmental consequences. The issue that seems to be subtly highlighted in this article about Nicaragua is their need for more jobs, international recognition and relevance. Although the canal seems to be the solution to the issues of job creation, and international recognition, the canal is a far cry from the most effective solution for this country at this time.

This article sheds light on the chaotic nature of elections in Nicaragua, and shows the vast amount of control the current president, Daniel Ortega, holds. In the past the United States and the European Union have monitored elections in Nicaragua, but were left saying that the elections lacked transparency. The elections for president this year will not involve the US or EU as the current president, and one of the few candidates in the race, will not allow the two powers back to monitor elections. If Daniel Ortega wins this election, and it appears that he most likely will, then he will be longest serving president Nicaragua has ever had. It appears that there needs to be greater action taken to assure the transparency of elections in the future, and help for Nicaraguans so they can be sure they have a fair government.

Based off of this article, it seems as though the Nicaraguan president wants the country to be viewed as a player on the world stage, but is approaching the matter in a way that could be harmful in the future. As of now the current regime wants to place itself in the center of icy American-Russian diplomatic relations to be recognized and to annoy the White House. Additionally, the article briefly mentions plans for the country to create a rival to the Panama Canal that would be funded by Chinese businesses. The prospects for the new Panama Canal and the country's involvement in American-Russian relations seems to be a power play or an attempt for the country to be recognized by the United States or the world.

The union is a way for Antiguan workers to gain personal freedoms over working conditions, and Grant believes that this should be a separate group from the government. But this leads to an issue with the idea of helping to create a unified government. If the people can not trust the government how can a true democracy work? The union attempting to separate from all political dealings will only further breakdown the attempt to create a democracy.    

This article shows the corruption with in the Antiguan government. There is an obvious gap between the government officials in Antigua and Barbuda and the people. One of the biggest problems facing Antigua's government is how corrupt it is.