Protest and civil unrestElevated
Protests are persistent but usually manageable with planning.
Country risk assessment ยท Americas
Nicaragua political and security risk assessment
Nicaragua carries a guarded level of political and security risk for business. It scores 31 out of 100 on the Zed Three World Threat Map (band 2 of 5), unchanged on last week and broadly stable over the last 12 weeks. Last updated Nov 2, 2026.
31of 100
Guarded
Band 2 of 5
▬ Unchanged on last week
Americas
Nicaragua
What is the political and security risk in Nicaragua right now?
Nicaragua carries a guarded level of political and security risk for business. It scores 31 out of 100 on the Zed Three World Threat Map (band 2 of 5), unchanged on last week and broadly stable over the last 12 weeks.
Week on week the picture is steady. The main standing risks are foreign government warnings.
On the economic side, real GDP grew 4.9% in 2025 with inflation at 2.1%.
What are the main risks of operating in Nicaragua?
Staff movement and duty of careElevated
Foreign governments advise a high degree of caution, with some regional warnings.
Armed conflict and political violenceGuarded
Armed violence is occasional and mostly localized.
What has changed recently in Nicaragua?
Nicaragua moved unchanged this week and rose 2 points over the last 12 weeks, from 29 to 31.
What happens next? Outlook for the next 1 to 3 months
We assess it is highly likely that Nicaragua stays in the Guarded band through the end of December.
80 to 90%
0%50%100%
Likelihood ranges are editorial judgments, not advice.
What does it mean for shipping, supply chains and operations?
Food makes up 43% of goods exports (2024 data), so harvest, port and road disruption matter for buyers.
Trade equals 96% of GDP (2025 data). A highly open economy, so local disruption travels quickly through supplier networks.
Operating conditions are generally normal, with localized risks to plan around.
Key facts
GDPUS$22.2 billionLatest data, 2025
Real GDP growth4.9%Latest data, 2025
Inflation2.1%Latest data, 2025
Trade96% of GDPLatest data, 2025
Food exports43% of goods exportsLatest data, 2024
Population7.0 millionLatest data, 2025
How has the Nicaragua threat score moved?
Frequently asked questions
What is the political and security risk in Nicaragua for business?
Nicaragua carries a guarded level of political and security risk for business. It scores 31 out of 100 on the Zed Three World Threat Map (band 2 of 5), unchanged on last week and broadly stable over the last 12 weeks.
What are the main geopolitical risks of operating in Nicaragua?
The main risk drivers are protest and civil unrest (elevated); staff movement and duty of care (elevated); armed conflict and political violence (guarded). Protests are persistent but usually manageable with planning.
What is the outlook for Nicaragua?
We assess it is highly likely (80 to 90%) that Nicaragua stays in the Guarded band through the end of December.
How often is the Nicaragua risk assessment updated?
The Nicaragua threat score is updated weekly on the Zed Three World Threat Map, and this assessment is reviewed monthly. It was last updated Nov 2, 2026.
Related country assessments
Published by Zed Three, a private, independent risk intelligence company. Assessment last updated Nov 2, 2026. Threat score updated weekly, last on Nov 2, 2026. General analysis for informational purposes, not security, legal or investment advice.
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