As the civilian casualty toll mounted and the Americans showed no signs of stopping their terrorist campaign against the people of Nicaragua, then-President Daniel Ortega entered into negotiations with non-Contra opposition parties to arrange open elections. In 1990, with the promise of restored American aid and the end to terrorist attacks a non-Contra, non-Sandinista President was elected.
But throughout their time in opposition the Sandinistas have remained a viable political party, always getting at least 35% of the popular vote in federal elections. This year it looks like their time has come again. As in other countries in South and Central America over the past year or so have done, it looks as if Nicaragua is prepared to try a left of centre government.
With more then 60% of the votes counted in the first round of Presidential elections former president Daniel Ortega, the Sandinista candidate, has over 38% of the vote, more then enough to not only win the first round, but guarantee an outright win without the need of runoff elections in January.
Sixteen years after his defeat in the polls, Ortega will take power if this lead, as is expected, holds. One of the reasons for his success is the more moderate face he has shown than in previous years. The fact that his running mate is an ex-Contra leader has given people hope that this government will finally be able to unify the country by setting an example of reconciliation at the top.
While the current American administration, through their embassy in Nicaragua, has made some noise about "voter irregularities," the independent Nicaraguan Civic Group for Ethics and Transparency were responsible for releasing the earliest results showing Ortega's substantial lead at the behest of those running against him. There are over 18,000 international observers monitoring these elections, including former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
While it's obvious that Mr. Ortega will not be as friendly towards the current U.S. administration as his chief rival, a banker, it's too early for people to get hysterical and be painting him with the same brush as Hugo Chavez, the leader of Venezuela. Even in the days of the revolution he was a reluctant ally of Russia and far less of a Marxist revolutionary than he was made out to be. Considering his running mate is Jaime Morales, former spokesperson for the Contras, the chances of a Red Flag hanging from the flagpole are relatively low.
Article comments
1 - Howard Dratch
Nicaragua suffered under the Contra violence that we (Reagan/Bush-Republican "we") supported so hard.
The decisions to be made by Latin America and Latin Americans are not easy ones and the present US government has made itself again unable to provide a model of freedom and self-determination that could have led the region out of poverty and the horrors that accompany the kind of distribution of wealth that America supported for so long.
The future of the whole region is certainly in doubt and, it would seem, the Bush Administration has pushed hard to make our southern neighbors more unstable, more anti-American, more prone to accept any solution that is not "American".
Perhaps today's US elections will rob the Bush forces of some of their power to destabilize the hemisphere as they have been trying so hard to do.
2 - RedTard
Another hate america circle jerk. Run of the mill bullshit from the left these days. How quickly they forget the scores of millions of people they slaughtered for their failed ideology. Perhaps we didn't want Nicaragua to end up like Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge.
3 - Zedd
RedTard, are you joking???? You must be...
It’s also come out that Ortega has actually had a religious conversion which has tampered his politics. His former friends on the left have expressed a great deal of disappointment in him because he is espousing some ideals that they think are a departure from their original goals.
4 - Bliffle
Ortega is back?! Oh hell, there goes my beachfront resort condo in Nicaragua!
5 - Angela Chen Shui
Thank you, Richard.
One of my best friends from way back helped to build those schools you spoke of and helped to teach new agricultural methods.
He was also there when Nicaraguan villages came under attack.
The entire Central and Latin American region will move forward... with or without enlightened US backing. There are many forces worldwide that would love to wreak havoc in this US backyard...
I pray, fervently, it doesn't come to that.
Thanks again. Your piece brings back fond memories...
Angela.