Nicaraguan Canal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Opponents of Nicaragua’s dubious plans to build a $50 billion interoceanic canal are trying to rally U.S. help in fighting the controversial project. But it’s not clear if official Washington is listening.

Manuel González: “Nicaragua has been buying heavy military equipment from Russia. They just publicized the purchase of MiG-29s, supposedly to fight drug trafficking. Well, we’ve been very effective in fighting drug trafficking, and we don’t need MiGs to do that.”

“It’s common to see Ortega trying to steal the show.”

The group of environmentalists and human rights organizers plan to present an open letter to the Costa Rican Foreign Ministry to present to CELAC leaders decrying a lack of transparency, and threats to indigenous land rights and Lake Nicaragua.

HKND plans to dredge 715 million cubic meters of material from the bottom of Lake Cocibolca, possibly the biggest dredging job ever. In comparison, all dredging and excavating in the 100-year history of the Panama Canal has removed a total of 550 million cubic meters of material.

Costa Rica has been seeking information – including specific environmental assessment details and routes – from its northern neighbor for four years. But even today, as the $50 billion project moves forward, Costa Rican officials say they have received little information to assuage concerns.

A comprehensive environmental impact assessment for the entire canal project is being directed by the British firm Environmental Resource Management (ERM), which promised to issue conclusions in March or April.

RIVAS, Nicaragua — Canal protesters aren't the only ones clashing with police in Nicaragua. As the Nicaraguan government and HKND move forward with the construction of a $50 billion, 300-kilometer interoceanic canal, journalists covering what has been promised as the world’s largest civil engineering project have been harassed, detained and even robbed by police.

“No to the canal,” “Get out Chinese,” “Ortega, sell out,” shouted a chorus of demonstrators Wednesday as thousands took to the streets of Managua to protest the construction of a mega-canal that threatens to expropriate land from small holders and Lake Cocibolca, the largest freshwater lake in Central America.

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Nicaraguan writer and Catholic priest Ernesto Cardenal this weekend blasted plans for the construction of a massive interoceanic canal, calling it a "monstrosity" that would split the country in two and irreversibly damage Lake Cocibolca, the biggest freshwater lake in Central America.