Nicaragua

Con su canal a través de Nicaragua, el presidente Daniel Ortega sueña con superar al canal de Panamá. Pero en la aldea de Bangkukuk Taik, y en todo el país, un movimiento de resistencia protege la cultura indígena y el medio ambiente, y expone los grandiosos vínculos proyecto con un misterioso hombre de negocios chino.

But for a few flare-ups of protest—all quickly and violently quashed—the movement to rid the country of its powerful ruler is all but over.

With his trans-Nicaragua canal, President Daniel Ortega dreams of outdoing the Panama Canal. But in the village of Bangkukuk Taik, and across the country, a resistance movement is protecting indigenous culture and the environment—and exposing the grandiose project's ties to a mysterious Chinese businessman.

Catholics participate in a mass demanding the freedom of political prisoners in Managua, Nicaragua, on October 21st, 2018.

A riot policeman throws a sound grenade during clashes against protestors demonstrating against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's government in Managua, on September 23rd, 2018.

Relatives and friends mourn during the funeral of 26-year-old Ezequiel Leiva, who died in the hospital three months after being injured during anti-government protests, on September 18th, 2018, in Managua, Nicaragua.

Demonstrators take part in a march against President Daniel Ortega's government in Managua, Nicaraguan, on September 9th, 2018.

President Daniel Ortega has seen his popularity plummet in conjunction with the economic hardships faced by his most ardent financial supporter.

Anti-government protesters play traditional music and dance as they take part in a march demanding the release of political prisoners in Managua, Nicaragua, on August 15th, 2018.

Students gathered in Nicaragua's capital to demand President Daniel Ortega and his powerful vice president, wife Rosario Murillo, resign.

President Daniel Ortega, once a celebrated rebel, now stands accused of authoritarian repression against protesters.

Friends and relatives carry the coffin containing the body of the student Gerald Velazquez, shot dead during clashes with riot police in a church near the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua.

Significant political protests have put President Daniel Ortega on uncertain political ground for the first time in over a decade.

An ice-cream salesman walks in front of riot police agents blocking the road as demonstrators protest during a march to the National Congress to demand justice for the 43 deaths in recent protests in Managua on May 2nd, 2018.

For the month of April we're profiling the individuals who made our inaugural list of the 30 top thinkers under 30, the young men and women we predict will have a serious impact on the social, political, and economic issues we cover every day here at Pacific Standard.