This Week's Victory For Nicaragua Is A Victory for us

[URRACA]

The Oxford Club

We could all use some happy news these days -- especially when it comes to our global fight for freedom and democracy. Thankfully, we were rewarded this week with the election of Nicaragua's new president, pro-free-market businessman Enrique Bolanos. In case you haven't heard, Bolanos won by a wide margin, beating out the Sandinista leader, Daniel Ortega.

With this election and its outstanding voter turnout (over 80% participation!), the Nicaraguans asserted their intolerance for corruption and socialist policies in the region. Nicaragua confirmed to the world that it is a democratic nation. The new President, with a 6-year term in front of him, is highly regarded and foreign investment friendly. Former supporters of the Sandinista regime, Russia and Cuba, are strapped. Ortega, who has lost three elections is the last 12 years, is done.

This is not only wonderful news for the Nicaraguans, but for many Oxford Club members as well. A number of us have spent the last three years visiting this beautiful country to get in early before the world catches on. I've invested in land there, and I've made several great local friends and reliable contacts. Together, we've created a beautiful 4-bedroom Mediterranean-style Clubhouse overlooking the Pacific in the southern part of Nicaragua, just north of Costa Rica. Of course, you, as a fellow Oxfordian, have an open invitation to stay there anytime.

Other Oxford Club members have also bought land adjacent to where our Clubhouse is located on a 1,700-acre private community that is being expertly developed by International Living Properties. Several members have already built stunning seaside homes - some of them easily worthy of a feature spread in Architectural Digest. Prices are already on their way up, but it's not too late to get a good deal on land with access to pristine beaches and a view that shames anything you would find on the southern coast of California.

After last Sunday's elections, my Nica friends wrote to tell me that the mood there is exuberant. Everyone is expecting great things to happen very quickly. As you may know, many Nicaraguans fled their country in the 80s under Sandinista rule. Many have since returned and are leading the country's entrepreneurial revolution. Given the election results, they tell me more are sure to come back home. They'll bring more capital and more America know-how with them.

Since my own first visit there in 1998 I've seen a dramatic transformation take place. Sprouting up in Managua are Mercedes dealerships, five-star hotels (with internet access), large western-style shopping malls, fine steak and seafood restaurants, popular franchises like the Hard Rock café, a new expressway, and more. The airport was expanded and modernized, and top cruise lines are just beginning to make ports of call in San Juan del Sur.

Despite all the good news, Nicaragua faces daunting challenges, including grinding poverty, corruption, and declining exports. Nicaragua is bankrupt, crushed under the weight of millions of dollars in foreign debt. But under the "Heavily-indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) agreement reached last year with the IMF/World Bank, Nicaragua will have much of that debt waived...a lucky break for the new President. However, the fact remains that Nicaragua started from literally nothing (except whatever the Russians gave them) just 11 years ago. Now Nicaragua is on the fast track. And since Oxfordian investors like to buy on momentum, this presents us with a timely investment opportunity, especially in real estate.

Remember Costa Rica in the 1980s...when it was "the" haven for foreign retirees, travelers, and investors the world over? Today, Costa Rican prices are at a peak. That means greater investor attention will turn to its neighbor to the north, Nicaragua. If you've already invested there, congratulations! If you haven't...you may want to consider this yet-to-be- discovered paradise, as I and many other members have. Even though prices have been rising steadily since 1996, Nicaragua still offers the best oceanfront property deals in the Americas.

"If you don't at least check it out, in another 10 years, you'll be kicking yourself. Consider what could happen over the next five years. U.S. stocks might not go anywhere, as stocks are more expensive than they've ever been. Yet you could double your money in a smart Nicaraguan real estate investment. It's not unreasonable to expect Costa Rica-like returns. I believe some investors will turn $20,000 into $200,000 over the next 20 years."

We both recommend you spend some time and learn more about Nicaragua. And definitely, go down there before you buy anything and see it for yourself.

I hope you'll participate in this remarkable adventure -as an investor or just for the cruise. Everyone knows what an enjoyable destination Costa Rica is, and how well real estate investors have done there. On the other hand, Nicaragua is largely misunderstood (people still ask me if there's a war down there!). This perception will undoubtedly change quickly. And when it does, just remember, you heard about it here first.

[Balvarez]

Mercedez Dealer for the poor?
Internet for the unemployed?
Hotel 5 star for the marginados and campesinos?...Good!! You know what I think? Nicaragua until now is the best Money loundry there is, if not the best.

[URRACA]

It is refreshing to me that you are concerned with the developements taking place in Nicaragua. Obivously this is not for everyone, but having the facility to host and attract investors into the country is " A GOOD THING"

There in much to do but the fact remains, without proper capitol investments, those poor and less unfortunate can hope to have a job creating and servicing what those with investment can create.

Best Regards

JGB

[Balvarez]

There have been proyects all over Managua and the oportunity of jobs doesn't get tthe working class. Is like the old said ( Por que siempre a la sardina se la come el tiburon) all the jobs are ficticious with outside labor and loundry capital!
YES!! Managua is growing, is beutifull with her lights and neon signs. Is glamorous with her 5 star hotels and expensive restorants, full of foreigners in their Balniario, mean while the main caracters her population, the managuas are struguling to survive in the loundry game...The fact is Nicaragua and the population. Pobrecitos!

[URRACA]

Dear Nicoya:

I understand, somewhat your concerns on what is happening in the country right now. It is unfortunate but it is better than what we had just a few years back.
The fact still remains, Capitol and investment helps our country out. Its not fair but its the same, somewhat , here!
All over the world.

You want to concentrate on poverty? well then let me take you to what is and remains the poorest of the poor and with NO help insight. I have been helping them for years!

Come and look: http://www.suboceansafety.org/

This is poverty in Nicaragua that has been the same for over 40 years, sounds like CUBA.

We all help in our own ways, mine has a lot to do with Capitol. This gives me the clout I need to help whom really needs the help.

Be well

JGB

[Balvarez]

Back to the main subject...Nicaragua..Doesn't matter peple investing in land, Hotels, Restorants, resort etc. The money doesn'y help the citizens The community, get it? Never are available to them. Is like building a front to investor or (Loundry Helpers). But the reality is an other. You have been to Nicaragua, i seen your pictures in the HolydayInn Managua. That is nice, if you bring dolares (Lapas Verdes) but you think that a native Nicoya who earns bearly $90 dollares a month can pay a night at the hotel? Or to go to the restorants?..No papito you can bring all the investors that you want, but we must teach our people to stay await from public area.

Have a good day

Dear Nicoya,
The gentleman from the Oxford Club is right. Now is the time to invest in Nicaragua. Foriegn investments are warmly welcomed and very much needed for a very good reason.
When US and European investors come and invest their money in the Nicaraguan economy they create jobs. When they build their hotels and tourist resorts they need people to operate them. [ie. Nicaraguans]
I believe up until this day Nicaraguans still take the bus south to Costa Rica to work in the coffee fields because there are no jobs for them in their own mother land.
Foreign investments bring new hotels, new restaraunts, more souvenior shops, and there by creating more and more jobs.
Investors Create Jobs!
jq