Democracy Speaker Series: Dr. Juan Sebastián Chamorro on Freedom and Hope

On Friday, January 24, Dr. Juan Sebastián Chamorro spoke at an all-school assembly about his experience as a political refugee from Nicaragua. As a Nicaraguan economist, businessman, and politician, Chamorro was a prospective candidate for the 2021 Nicaraguan presidency until he was arrested, along with other opposition candidates and civic leaders, and subsequently banished from his homeland in February 2023. He spoke to the Hopkins community about finding hope in the restoration of democracy and the importance of always speaking up against injustice.

In his speech, Chamorro stressed the importance of standing up for what is right—a belief he put into action by joining millions of fellow Nicaraguan citizens protesting against Daniel Ortega, a totalitarian political figure who has been in power for decades. Chamorro explained that after the military responded to protests with violence in 2018, he and a group of protest leaders founded the Civic Alliance for Justice, an opposition group to the Ortega administration.

“We faced threats, we faced imprisonment, but we also experienced something more powerful than fear—hope for a new birth of democracy,” Chamorro said during his speech.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which was observed four days earlier, Chamorro interspersed Dr. King’s quotes throughout his speech. “‘The time is always right to do what is right.’ That’s the lesson I want to leave with you today,” he said, reflecting on his decision to run for the presidency in opposition to Ortega. “Standing up for what’s right doesn’t depend on timing. It’s not about waiting for the perfect moment or for others to act first. It’s about doing it now, even when it feels difficult or uncomfortable,” he added.

Chamorro also recounted the 20 months he was unlawfully imprisoned, which he referred to as an “unthinkable challenge.” Holding on to hope in the restoration of democracy, he said, kept him going during the darkest times. “Democracy is a way of living, of acting right at every moment—to be an activist, to engage in common problems, to defend victims, and to mobilize,” he said.

Chamorro closed with words of encouragement to the Hopkins community, urging them to maintain hope and faith during times of struggle and to keep moving forward one step at a time.

Chamorro continues to fight for Nicaragua’s freedom. He is currently a Hewlett Visiting Fellow for Public Policy at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame, working on a project titled "Violation of Every Right in Nicaragua: A Personal and Collective Perspective."

After taking questions from the audience, Chamorro visited the Calarco Library for two class periods to engage in further discussions with students.

Chamorro’s presentation was part of the School’s 2024-2025 Speaker Series, which has focused on the theme of democracy. The series has featured a range of knowledgeable speakers offering insights on democracy both in the U.S. and abroad. Through this program, Hopkins aims to deepen students’ understanding of civics—the mechanics of democracy—and engage in civil discourse. The goal is to educate students on matters of citizenship and prepare them to be critical thinkers.