economy
May 7, 2026
The Ortegas-Murillos hand over more mines to Chinese companies
The regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo continues to expand Chinese capital's control over Nicaragua's mining business. Despite U.S. sanctions pressure, on Wednesday, the company Nicaragua Zi Jin Minería received new concessions.
TL;DR
- The Nicaraguan regime has granted new mining concessions to Chinese companies, expanding their control over the mining sector.
- Nicaragua Zi Jin Minería received concessions covering 13,000 hectares in Chinandega, León, and Estelí.
- Chinese mining companies now control 8.5% of Nicaraguan territory, including protected and indigenous areas.
- The regime has favored Chinese companies despite U.S. sanctions targeting the gold sector, which is seen as a source of funding for the regime's repressive apparatus.
- Concerns have been raised about the transparency of these operations, the environmental impact, and the potential focus on strategic minerals like copper and cobalt.