Grand Canal in Nicaragua Becoming More Unpopular

A historic project will soon commence in Nicaragua, aided by the Chinese. When the project is complete, Nicaragua will have a new inter-oceanic canal. Even so, not everyone in Nicaragua is pleased with the project and many people have begun protesting the plan to construct the canal. It has even been speculated that President Daniel Ortega, who has proven to be popular, could suffer due to his decision to construct the canal. In fact, he has already bene dubbed as a betrayer of his homeland.

Plans of the projected commenced last summer when the deal was approved by the National Assembly of Nicaragua. As part of that deal, it was agreed that HKND Group, a firm based in Hong Kong, would be allowed to construct an inter-oceanic canal. It was recently announced that construction on the canal, which is set to rival that of the Panama Canal, will begin this December. When complete, the canal is set to span 278 kilometers in length and stretch across the Great Lake of Nicaragua. The canal will also reach a depth of 30 meters.

Numerous reasons have been cited for discontent over the construction of the canal, including concern regarding secrecy of the government regarding specific details about the canal project, including potential environmental impacts. There is also concern that residents who live in the path of the proposed canal will need to relocate.

Of late, protests have been on the rise. The most recent protests took place in October near La Union, in Eastern Nicaragua. During that protest, approximately 3,000 people marched with signs and demanded that the canal's construction not pass through the land they inhabit. Of even more concern is that the canal's current construction plan calls for the canal to pass through a community of indigenous people. In another area, the canal will pass dangerously near another indigenous population and concerns that the construction of the canal could put the lifestyle of local inhabitants at risk have grown.

While protests along the route of the planned canal have increased, the government has largely minimized them, indicating that the administration believes the people of Nicaragua will ultimately support the canal.