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The U.S. Embassy in Managua issued a security alert on July 13 warning of marches, large gatherings, and roadblocks across Nicaragua during the week of the July 19 government holiday. The embassy said the events were expected to stay peaceful but urged travelers to use caution.
The largest demonstrations will take place in Managua, with smaller events in cities and towns nationwide. The embassy warned that traffic disruption, congestion, and roadblocks could raise the chance of encounters with police, military, and other Nicaraguan authorities. It flagged similar conditions from August 1 to August 10, during the capital's celebration of its patron saint, Santo Domingo.
The alert told U.S. citizens not to photograph or film police, military personnel, marches, or demonstrations. Doing so has previously drawn official attention and led to detention or the confiscation of devices. Foreigners, including U.S.-Nicaraguan dual nationals, risk arrest or expulsion if they join protests. The embassy noted that Nicaragua may treat dual nationals as citizens only, which can block U.S. consular access.
Nicaragua sits at Travel Advisory Level 3, Reconsider Travel. The State Department cites the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals, property seizures, and limited healthcare. The July 13 update revised the advisory summary but left the level unchanged.
The embassy advised travelers to avoid demonstrations, leave quickly if caught near one, and not drive through crowds or barricades. It also recommended keeping a supply of food and water, holding at least six months of passport validity, monitoring local media, and enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for updates. Mass gatherings tied to national holidays have repeatedly produced roadblocks and detentions in Nicaragua, a pattern the embassy has flagged around past commemorations.
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