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Nicaragua's Ortega Re-Elected to Presidency Amidst Controversy
November 9, 2011
By: Mark Hsen | Printer Friendly

On November 7, incumbent President Daniel Ortega of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) won another 5-year term as president.  Official results gave Ortega almost 63 percent of the vote.  Closest rival Fabio Gadea of the Liberal Independent Party came in second place with 31 percent.   

While Ortega's supporters have already begun celebrating, the opposition has alleged electoral fraud.  As reported by BBC News, several independent electoral observers who were not accredited by Nicaraguan authorities also alleged fraud.  Official international observers such as the mission from the Organization of American States (OAS) stated that significant irregularities had not been identified, but others did question the transparency and independence of the vote. 

Ortega's candidacy was also controversial as it was a breach of the ban on serving consecutive terms in office, as well as the two-term limit.  Ortega previously served as president from 1985 to 1990.  In 2009, the Sandinista-controlled Supreme Court changed re-election rules thereby allowing Ortega to run for a consecutive term. 

After the election, violent clashes broke out.  BBC News reports that at least four people were killed in the north.  Clashes between government and opposition supporters also occurred in Managua, Nicaragua's capital city. 

Ortega has been a key political figure in Nicaragua since the Sandinista revolution overthrew dictator Anastasio Somoza in 1979.  He ruled Nicaragua for the next 11 years, fighting a civil war against United States (US) backed Contra rebels.  While he was voted out of power in 1990, Ortega managed to win the election in 2006 after three failed attempts.

While Ortega was once a popular figure abroad, he has lost much of his international support.  Yet, he is immensely popular within Nicaragua.  Ortega was able to oversee economic growth during his five years as president.  Partially due to rising food prices (a large part of Nicaragua's economic output), and Ortega's ability to secure investments, the Economist cites Nicaragua as the fastest growing nation in Central America after Panama.  According to Reuters, poverty has fallen to 57 percent from 65.5 percent in 2005.  However, Nicaragua is still one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere.     

In addition, Ortega has pursued a platform of social programs to benefit the poor, leveraging funds from key ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.  While Nicaragua buys almost $1 billion a year of Venezuelan oil, Nicaragua gets almost half of it back in low-interest, long-term loans.  As indicated by the Economist, opposition leaders have accused this alliance with Chavez as electoral blackmail.  The FSLN have hinted that if they lose power, the loans will also disappear. 

For previous news on Nicaragua, please see:
Ortega's Re-election Bid Threatens Nicaraguan Democracy

Sources:
BBC News – Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega heads for presidential win

The Economist – The Survivor

Reuters – Nicaragua's Ortega heads for landslide vote win

BBC News – Violence in Nicaragua after Ortega election victory