Nicaragua Withdrawal from UNESCO | 19 May 2025

Source: TOI 

Nicaragua has announced its withdrawal from  the UNESCO in protest over the awarding of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize to Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa despite its opposition from the Nicaraguan government. 

• UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize: It was established in 1997 and is the UN’s only journalism award, presented every year on 3rd May, World Press Freedom Day.  
  • Named after Colombian journalist Guillermo Cano, it honors individuals or organizations for their contributions to press freedom.  
  • Past recipients include Myanmar journalists Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone (2019) and Belarus' top independent journalists’ group (2022). 
• UNESCO: UNESCO is a United Nations (UN) agency,  founded in 1945 and headquartered in Paris. 
  • It aims to foster peace and equality by promoting education, science, culture, and communication through global cooperation and standard-setting. 
• Nicaragua:  
  • Location: Largest country in Central America, bordered by Honduras (north), Costa Rica (south), Pacific Ocean (west), Caribbean Sea (east). 
  • History: Colonized by both Spain and Britain,  gained independence in 1821,  became fully independent in 1838 after briefly joining the Central American Federation. 
  • Population: Predominantly mestizo ethnic group (mixed Indigenous and European ancestry).