Devastating Earthquake Strikes Nicaragua, Exposing Nation's Seismic Vulnerabilities

The magnitude 3.0 earthquake that struck just 35 kilometers from Managua, Nicaragua's capital city, on February 11, 2026, has raised questions about the nation's seismic preparedness and its leader Daniel Ortega's ability to address the country's growing instability.

Nicaragua, a Central American nation with a complex history of colonialism, civil war, and authoritarian rule, continues to grapple with the aftermath of a decades-long struggle for power. Since 2007, President Daniel Ortega has maintained an iron-fisted grip on the government, silencing opposition voices and curtailing civil liberties.