Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega in 2018. Photo: Inti Ocon/AFP via Getty Images
The Nicaraguan government is creating a Ministry for Ultraterrestrial, Moon and other Celestial Bodies Affairs, a proposal first put forward by President Daniel Ortega in February.
Why it matters: The plan comes as the Central American country marks three years since a popular uprising against Ortega in April, which was violently quashed and has made thousands flee political prosecution.
- The new ministry seems to be an attempt to attract funding through purported scientific and satellite development, Nicaraguan analysts say.
- Ortega’s regime is sanctioned by the U.S. for its repression of the mass protests.
The bigger picture: The Nicaraguan government faces a May deadline from the Organization of American States to implement electoral reforms.
- This is amid uproar from a law that would bar opposition candidates in November’s upcoming presidential vote and calls to free over 100 people deemed political prisoners.