Nicaragua's July 19 Anniversary: Disappointment, Indifference, and Forced Worship

Nicaragua is observing the anniversary of the 1979 Sandinista revolution, a date that has become deeply divisive. While supporters of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo's government celebrate the overthrow of the Somoza family's dictatorship, many citizens and former Sandinistas now describe the current regime as a new, equally oppressive dictatorship. Pablo, who was wounded during his mandatory military service and once considered himself a "Sandinista to the death," now says the date means nothing. "I opened my eyes and saw he was a tyrant," he stated, referring to Ortega. "Besides, my wife and son suffered the abuses of the Sandinistas firsthand."

Public employees report being compelled to participate in mandatory party events throughout July, an effort by the government to project continued support. Large-scale public celebrations, once held in the Plaza de la Revolución, have been scaled back. This year, Rosario Murillo adjusted the schedule to accommodate the World Cup final, announcing parades in all municipalities in the morning and gatherings in municipal plazas and the Plaza de la Fe in the afternoon. This shift reflects the ruling FSLN party's significant national weariness and repudiation.

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I opened my eyes and saw he was a tyrant. Besides, my wife and son suffered the abuses of the Sandinistas firsthand.

Confidencial spoke with citizens both inside and outside Nicaragua about their views on July 19th and the country's future. The sentiment among many is one of disillusionment, with comparisons drawn between the current government's authoritarianism and that of the Somoza dynasty. The regime's planned celebration for July 19, 2026, includes screens in every municipality, a move seen by critics as an attempt to mask the deep divisions and widespread discontent within the nation.

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We are preparing for July 19, which will be grand. We will be in the parades in all the country's municipalities in the morning; and in the afternoon, after the football game everyone wants to watch, the final (of the World Cup), we will be gathered in the municipal plazas and the Plaza de la Fe, celebrating peace.