Irla Atanda

From March 2 through March 9, 2022, a Refugees International (RI) team traveled to Poland in the wake of a renewed Russian invasion of Ukraine. The team included RI president Eric Schwartz, Advocate for Europe Daphne Panayotatos, and Special Assistant to the President Irla Atanda. The team began the trip in Warsaw, meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski.

The Biden administration has made it clear that US engagement with the Western Hemisphere is a priority. Much of its early focus has been on Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, as forced displacement from these countries is such a pressing concern. But a worrying crackdown in Nicaragua is going largely unnoticed. Nicaragua’s political crisis could soon have major humanitarian consequences and further destabilize an already fragile situation in the region. The United States must act.

Managua, Nicaragua on 9/10/2017. © Jasser William Torres / Shutterstock The Biden administration has made it clear that US engagement with the Western Hemisphere is a priority. Much of its early focus has been on Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, as forced displacement from these countries is such a pressing concern. But a worrying crackdown in Nicaragua is going largely unnoticed.