Nicaraguan interocean waterway still up in the air

The fate of a proposed Nicaraguan canal between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans is unclear.

The Nicaragua government this month gave an extended building permit to Hong-based HKND, which has the right to develop the canal.

The Nicaraguan public for its part supports the concept, according to several opinion polls.

On the other hand, it’s not clear how Nicaragua would handle a project linked to the People’s Republic of China, while maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Meanwhile, environmentalists and people in the path of the waterway oppose the plan, which has never presented consistent data about projected operations or investment, described as anywhere between $50 billion and $100 billion.

To date, no earth has been moved on a project, which in 2013 was awarded as a 100-year concession to HKND.

Chinese checkers?