A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Weather; Human Factors
While on approach into MNMG the Captain [advised ATC of the need for priority handling.] This was due to the fact that we were heading into a very large thunderstorm. After several attempts to get a change in altitude and heading with Sandino Approach we [advised ATC of the need for priority handling.] We were on a south heading and turned out to the west and climbed from 6;000 to 10;000 feet. This heading took us out over the ocean and into the clear. I believe we had a language barrier issue which prevented the controller from understanding what we needed to do. There was no other traffic in the area and we were able to continue to the airport and land with no other issues.
A319 FO reported the Captain used emergency authority when they were unable to get a timely ATC clearance to circumvent thunderstorms in the MNMG area.