NICARAGUA: CARIBBEAN MASS MIGRATION CONTINGENCY

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 000080

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CEN AND PRM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF PHUM NU
SUBJECT: NICARAGUA: CARIBBEAN MASS MIGRATION CONTINGENCY
ASSESSMENT

REF: 06 MANAGUA 1114

Classified By: Ambassador Paul Trivelli for reason 1.4(d)


1. (C) Although the Nicaraguan government (GON) has in the
past expressed a willingness to assist with limited refugee
resettlement (reftel),post believes that because of
ideological and public relations considerations, the recently
installed Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN)
government of President Daniel Ortega would have no interest
in considering such cooperation. The FSLN is close to the
Cuban regime. Further, previous administrations were wary of
admitting non-Hispanic populations (such as Haitians) and
also concerned about the optics of assisting refugees in the
second poorest country in the hemisphere. The Ortega
government would likely have the same reservations.


2. (C) The following responses are keyed to questions posed
in reftel:

a. It is extremely unlikely that the GON would be willing to
build a camp for migrants.

b. See above response.

c. It is unlikely that they would consider migrants from any
country. In the past, the GON was willing to consider taking
small numbers of Cubans, who are culturally and
linguistically familiar, but the new left-wing administration
would almost certainly refuse.

d. This stance would not likely change in a post-Fidel
environment.

e. The timing is not ideal to approach the Ortega
administration regarding accepting migrants, a request they
would in all probability refuse.

f. N/A

g. N/A

h. N/A
TRIVELLI