Nicaraguans Endure Long Lines At Passport Office In Managua

Unemployment, fear and uncertainty due to the socio-political crisis in Nicaragua are some of the reasons that motivate hundreds of Nicaraguans to leave the country.

But since the protests intensified the offices of the Directorate General of Migration and Foreigners (DGME) – immigration service – in the departments (regions) are closed, so many people have had to travel to Managua to process their passport.

Mateus Suazo left Juigalpa, in Chontales, last Sunday, June 17, two days later he is in a row several blocks long from the gate of the Immigration Office. He says that to get there he had to change several buses due to the barricades, and walked kilometers in places where he did not find transport and arrived in Managua on Monday night. On Tuesday he arrived at immigration 5:50 a.m., but already lines was for several blocks.

Sauzo said he had to walk at least 20 kilometers due to the ‘tranques’ (barricades) and no buses. Some of the buses operating were charging more than usual, but only from one barricade to the next.

The long lines at the immigration office in Managua has been for almost three weeks. According to local merchants, some have taken to sleeping on the sidewalk to maintain a place in line for the next day.

In Costa Rica, immigration offcials there are preparing for an eventual wave of Nicaraguans fleeing the violence. Last week, hundreds of Nicaraguans daily made lines at the Costa Rica immigration office in San Jose, filing for refugee status.