U.S. meddles in Nicaragua's elections (again)
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bbc:
Nicaragua poll points to Ortega
Nicaragua's former leader, Daniel Ortega, is heading for victory in the country's presidential polls, having won about 40% of votes counted so far.
The one-time Marxist revolutionary is leading his conservative rival Eduardo Montealegre by seven points, results from 40% of polling stations show.
Washington has warned that Nicaragua could lose American aid if Mr Ortega - a US foe in the 1980s - is elected.
Mr Ortega led Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990.
If the current results hold, Mr Ortega would be returned to power without the need for a second round of voting.
Mr Ortega says he has changed from the leader who seized property from the wealthy during a 1979 revolution.
Mr Montealegre dismissed the partial results, saying he would face Mr Ortega in a run-off.
"No-one has won here," he said. "We are going to a second round."
He also highlighted voting irregularities, saying: "In a democracy, that is unacceptable."
The poll is being watched by the US, which is concerned that its former Cold War enemy could be returned to power.
Chief Nicaraguan election official Roberto Rivas struck out at a US embassy statement suggesting "anomalies in the electoral process".
"We have promised the Nicaraguan people transparent elections, and that's what we've done," he said.
Mr Ortega's opponents say he would take the nation back to the days of the civil war with the Contra rebels.
'Savage capitalism'
Turnout was reported to be high with some people having to join long queues to vote, but election observers reported no major problems.
Mr Ortega has unsuccessfully stood for president on three occasions following his sole success in 1984.
There are five candidates in all.
Mr Ortega has seen 16 years of conservative governments and says he wants an end to "savage capitalism".
But he says his revolutionary days are behind him - and his main priority is to secure foreign investment to help to ease widespread poverty.
Mr Ortega has been endorsed by left-wing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
He was also hoping for support from the 80% of Nicaraguans who live on $2 a day or less.
"He is the only one who looks out for the poor. All the others are just for the rich," said William Medina at a Managua polling station.
As a Marxist revolutionary in the 1980s, Mr Ortega led the country through a decade of civil war in which his Sandinista forces fought rebels known as the Contras, who were financed by the US. About 50,000 people died in the conflict.
The election was overseen by 17,000 observers, among them ex-US President Jimmy Carter.
The incumbent, President Enrique Bolanos, has served the single five-year term allowed by the constitution.
cnn:
Ortega appears headed for victory
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) -- Daniel Ortega appeared headed back to the presidency 16 years after a U.S.-backed rebellion helped oust the former Marxist revolutionary, as partial results and the country's top electoral watchdog indicated he had easily defeated four opponents.
The Sandinista leader's victory in Sunday's election, if confirmed by final results, would expand the club of leftist Latin American rulers led by Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, who has tried to help his Nicaraguan ally by shipping cheap oil to the energy-starved nation.
Ortega, who led Nicaragua from 1985-1990, repeatedly has said he no longer is the Marxist revolutionary who fought U.S.-backed Contra rebels in a war that left 30,000 dead and the economy in shambles.
But while he has toned down his leftist rhetoric and pledged to continue free-trade policies, the United States remains openly wary of its former Cold War foe. Washington has threatened to withhold aid to the nation, fearing a return to the socialist economic policies of the 1980s.
The race has generated intense international interest, including a visit by Oliver North, the former White House aide at the heart of the Iran-Contra controversy. That effort to oust Ortega's Moscow-leaning Sandinista regime created a huge scandal in the United States when it became known that Washington secretly sold arms to Iran and used the money to fund and arm the Contra operation.
A statistical survey of official results, carried out by the Nicaraguan Civic Group for Ethics and Transparency, gave Ortega 38.5 percent to 29.5 percent for the wealthy banker Eduardo Montealegre.
The vote sampling, known as a quick count, had a margin of error of 1.7 percentage points. Ortega's four opponents asked the group to carry out the count because they were concerned that the Supreme Electoral Tribunal was controlled by the Sandinistas.
Officially, with 40 percent of all polling stations counted, Ortega had 40 percent of the vote compared to 33 percent for Montealegre. Electoral officials have been slow to announce results, and it wasn't clear when final count would be announced.
Three other rivals were well behind: Sandinista dissident Edmundo Jarquin, ruling-party candidate Jose Rizo and former Contra rebel Eden Pastora.
To win outright and avoid a runoff, Ortega needs just 35 percent of the vote and a 5-point advantage over his closest opponent.
Late Sunday, Ortega's supporters flooded the streets, setting off celebratory fireworks, waving the party's red-and-black flag and swaying to the candidate's campaign song, set to the tune of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance."
The U.S. Embassy said it was too soon to "make an overall judgment on the fairness and transparency of the process."
"We are receiving reports of some anomalies in the electoral process," including polling stations that opened late and closed early, the embassy said.
But Roberto Rivas, president of the Supreme Electoral Council, dismissed the U.S. statement.
"We have promised the Nicaraguan people transparent elections, and that's what we've done," he said. "I think there were enough observers to witness that."
Ortega, 60, had already made three unsuccessful attempts at re-election. This was his fifth consecutive presidential campaign.
"Nicaragua wins today," he said after voting, confident of a first-round win.
Montealegre brushed aside the partial results, saying: "No one has won here. The Nicaraguan people, in a runoff, will determine the next president."
At stake are millions of dollars in potential investments, many from foreign companies drawn to Nicaragua by its cheap labor, low crime rates and decision to join the new Central American Free Trade Agreement.
"We are playing with the stability of the country," said Jose Adan Aguirre, president of the Chamber of Commerce.
On election day, Nicaraguans hiked miles through the jungle, paddled canoes down remote rivers and waited under a searing sun to vote.
Overall the process was peaceful, but many polling stations opened late to long lines. After the polls closed, angry voters pounded on doors, shouting at officials inside to let them in.
Polls have shown Ortega would have trouble winning a December runoff. While he has a loyal base of support, many voters still have bitter memories of Sandinista rule, in which homes and businesses were seized.
Ortega insists he has changed. In fact, his vice-presidential candidate was once one of his biggest enemies: Jaime Morales, who served as the spokesman for the Contras.
As Sandinista leader, Ortega seized Morales' estate, but they reconciled after Ortega offered to pay Morales for his former home -- now Ortega's campaign headquarters.
Marvin Lopez, a 46-year-old doctor waiting at the same polling station where Ortega voted, said he feared an Ortega win would bring back uncontrollable inflation and conflict.
"I don't want to return to a dictatorship, the misery, the abuse of families' rights," he said.
Waiting at the end of the line was 26-year-old student Gema Amaya Larios, who said she woke at dawn to cast her vote for Ortega, saying: "Everyone else just cares about their own interests."
Amid fears of fraud, armed soldiers kept guard at polling stations monitored by more than 18,000 observers -- including three former presidents: Jimmy Carter, Peru's Alejandro Toledo and Panama's Nicolas Ardito Barletta.
In a veiled reference to the United States and Venezuela, Toledo condemned "any interference, wherever it comes from, whether it be Asia, Europe, North America or Latin America."
Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel on Sunday accused the United States of "blackmail and pressure to twist this process" in Nicaragua.
Nicaraguan presidents cannot serve two consecutive terms, and President Enrique Bolanos steps down January 10.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
~k.
Nicaragua poll points to Ortega
Nicaragua's former leader, Daniel Ortega, is heading for victory in the country's presidential polls, having won about 40% of votes counted so far.
The one-time Marxist revolutionary is leading his conservative rival Eduardo Montealegre by seven points, results from 40% of polling stations show.
Washington has warned that Nicaragua could lose American aid if Mr Ortega - a US foe in the 1980s - is elected.
Mr Ortega led Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990.
If the current results hold, Mr Ortega would be returned to power without the need for a second round of voting.
Mr Ortega says he has changed from the leader who seized property from the wealthy during a 1979 revolution.
Mr Montealegre dismissed the partial results, saying he would face Mr Ortega in a run-off.
"No-one has won here," he said. "We are going to a second round."
He also highlighted voting irregularities, saying: "In a democracy, that is unacceptable."
The poll is being watched by the US, which is concerned that its former Cold War enemy could be returned to power.
Chief Nicaraguan election official Roberto Rivas struck out at a US embassy statement suggesting "anomalies in the electoral process".
"We have promised the Nicaraguan people transparent elections, and that's what we've done," he said.
Mr Ortega's opponents say he would take the nation back to the days of the civil war with the Contra rebels.
'Savage capitalism'
Turnout was reported to be high with some people having to join long queues to vote, but election observers reported no major problems.
Mr Ortega has unsuccessfully stood for president on three occasions following his sole success in 1984.
There are five candidates in all.
Mr Ortega has seen 16 years of conservative governments and says he wants an end to "savage capitalism".
But he says his revolutionary days are behind him - and his main priority is to secure foreign investment to help to ease widespread poverty.
Mr Ortega has been endorsed by left-wing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
He was also hoping for support from the 80% of Nicaraguans who live on $2 a day or less.
"He is the only one who looks out for the poor. All the others are just for the rich," said William Medina at a Managua polling station.
As a Marxist revolutionary in the 1980s, Mr Ortega led the country through a decade of civil war in which his Sandinista forces fought rebels known as the Contras, who were financed by the US. About 50,000 people died in the conflict.
The election was overseen by 17,000 observers, among them ex-US President Jimmy Carter.
The incumbent, President Enrique Bolanos, has served the single five-year term allowed by the constitution.
cnn:
Ortega appears headed for victory
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) -- Daniel Ortega appeared headed back to the presidency 16 years after a U.S.-backed rebellion helped oust the former Marxist revolutionary, as partial results and the country's top electoral watchdog indicated he had easily defeated four opponents.
The Sandinista leader's victory in Sunday's election, if confirmed by final results, would expand the club of leftist Latin American rulers led by Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, who has tried to help his Nicaraguan ally by shipping cheap oil to the energy-starved nation.
Ortega, who led Nicaragua from 1985-1990, repeatedly has said he no longer is the Marxist revolutionary who fought U.S.-backed Contra rebels in a war that left 30,000 dead and the economy in shambles.
But while he has toned down his leftist rhetoric and pledged to continue free-trade policies, the United States remains openly wary of its former Cold War foe. Washington has threatened to withhold aid to the nation, fearing a return to the socialist economic policies of the 1980s.
The race has generated intense international interest, including a visit by Oliver North, the former White House aide at the heart of the Iran-Contra controversy. That effort to oust Ortega's Moscow-leaning Sandinista regime created a huge scandal in the United States when it became known that Washington secretly sold arms to Iran and used the money to fund and arm the Contra operation.
A statistical survey of official results, carried out by the Nicaraguan Civic Group for Ethics and Transparency, gave Ortega 38.5 percent to 29.5 percent for the wealthy banker Eduardo Montealegre.
The vote sampling, known as a quick count, had a margin of error of 1.7 percentage points. Ortega's four opponents asked the group to carry out the count because they were concerned that the Supreme Electoral Tribunal was controlled by the Sandinistas.
Officially, with 40 percent of all polling stations counted, Ortega had 40 percent of the vote compared to 33 percent for Montealegre. Electoral officials have been slow to announce results, and it wasn't clear when final count would be announced.
Three other rivals were well behind: Sandinista dissident Edmundo Jarquin, ruling-party candidate Jose Rizo and former Contra rebel Eden Pastora.
To win outright and avoid a runoff, Ortega needs just 35 percent of the vote and a 5-point advantage over his closest opponent.
Late Sunday, Ortega's supporters flooded the streets, setting off celebratory fireworks, waving the party's red-and-black flag and swaying to the candidate's campaign song, set to the tune of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance."
The U.S. Embassy said it was too soon to "make an overall judgment on the fairness and transparency of the process."
"We are receiving reports of some anomalies in the electoral process," including polling stations that opened late and closed early, the embassy said.
But Roberto Rivas, president of the Supreme Electoral Council, dismissed the U.S. statement.
"We have promised the Nicaraguan people transparent elections, and that's what we've done," he said. "I think there were enough observers to witness that."
Ortega, 60, had already made three unsuccessful attempts at re-election. This was his fifth consecutive presidential campaign.
"Nicaragua wins today," he said after voting, confident of a first-round win.
Montealegre brushed aside the partial results, saying: "No one has won here. The Nicaraguan people, in a runoff, will determine the next president."
At stake are millions of dollars in potential investments, many from foreign companies drawn to Nicaragua by its cheap labor, low crime rates and decision to join the new Central American Free Trade Agreement.
"We are playing with the stability of the country," said Jose Adan Aguirre, president of the Chamber of Commerce.
On election day, Nicaraguans hiked miles through the jungle, paddled canoes down remote rivers and waited under a searing sun to vote.
Overall the process was peaceful, but many polling stations opened late to long lines. After the polls closed, angry voters pounded on doors, shouting at officials inside to let them in.
Polls have shown Ortega would have trouble winning a December runoff. While he has a loyal base of support, many voters still have bitter memories of Sandinista rule, in which homes and businesses were seized.
Ortega insists he has changed. In fact, his vice-presidential candidate was once one of his biggest enemies: Jaime Morales, who served as the spokesman for the Contras.
As Sandinista leader, Ortega seized Morales' estate, but they reconciled after Ortega offered to pay Morales for his former home -- now Ortega's campaign headquarters.
Marvin Lopez, a 46-year-old doctor waiting at the same polling station where Ortega voted, said he feared an Ortega win would bring back uncontrollable inflation and conflict.
"I don't want to return to a dictatorship, the misery, the abuse of families' rights," he said.
Waiting at the end of the line was 26-year-old student Gema Amaya Larios, who said she woke at dawn to cast her vote for Ortega, saying: "Everyone else just cares about their own interests."
Amid fears of fraud, armed soldiers kept guard at polling stations monitored by more than 18,000 observers -- including three former presidents: Jimmy Carter, Peru's Alejandro Toledo and Panama's Nicolas Ardito Barletta.
In a veiled reference to the United States and Venezuela, Toledo condemned "any interference, wherever it comes from, whether it be Asia, Europe, North America or Latin America."
Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel on Sunday accused the United States of "blackmail and pressure to twist this process" in Nicaragua.
Nicaraguan presidents cannot serve two consecutive terms, and President Enrique Bolanos steps down January 10.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
~k.
my mom just called and she said people are setting off fireworks in celebration.
my mom also said she's not leaving my aunts house until she leaves for the airport, and then she's never returning to nicaragua until ortega is out of office. and that my uncle's friend had a heart attack when he found out ortega was winning.
crazy shit!!!!!!
~k.
my mom also said she's not leaving my aunts house until she leaves for the airport, and then she's never returning to nicaragua until ortega is out of office. and that my uncle's friend had a heart attack when he found out ortega was winning.
crazy shit!!!!!!
~k.
It's not over yet.....there are still 40% of the precincts left, Ortega is at 38.59% and Montealegre is at 30.94%. Since he [Ortega] has less than 40%, he needs to have at least a 5% margin over Montealegre; if not, there will be a run-off.
They have stopped counting votes in Managua due to irregularities(power went out, strange activity on the computer network), they wont start counting again until 5:00 am PST.
They have stopped counting votes in Managua due to irregularities(power went out, strange activity on the computer network), they wont start counting again until 5:00 am PST.
Ortega wins Nicaraguan election
Nicaragua's former leader, Daniel Ortega, has won the country's presidential election.
The one-time revolutionary has 38%, nine points ahead of his conservative rival Eduardo Montealegre, with more than 91% of votes counted.
[...]
Regional leaders were quick to congratulate Mr Ortega, including a leftist ally from his earlier period in power, Cuban President Fidel Castro.
In a statement read on Cuban TV, he hailed a "Sandinista victory that fills our people with happiness".
And Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a firm opponent of US policy in Latin America, enthused: "Latin America is leaving forever its role as the backyard of the North American empire. Yankee go home!"
http://www.siccness.net/vb/showthread.php?t=203432&page=3
Nicaragua's former leader, Daniel Ortega, has won the country's presidential election.
The one-time revolutionary has 38%, nine points ahead of his conservative rival Eduardo Montealegre, with more than 91% of votes counted.
[...]
Regional leaders were quick to congratulate Mr Ortega, including a leftist ally from his earlier period in power, Cuban President Fidel Castro.
In a statement read on Cuban TV, he hailed a "Sandinista victory that fills our people with happiness".
And Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a firm opponent of US policy in Latin America, enthused: "Latin America is leaving forever its role as the backyard of the North American empire. Yankee go home!"
http://www.siccness.net/vb/showthread.php?t=203432&page=3
http://www.comcast.net/news/international/.../11/560513.html
MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Nicaraguan revolutionary Daniel Ortega's first day as president was spent signing a socialist trade pact with allies Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba, and planning a meeting with Iran's hard-line president, actions sure to irritate the U.S. government.
Before taking office, Ortega assured Washington that he would maintain ties and remain part of the regional Central American Free Trade Agreement. But none of those promises were evident Thursday, during which he agreed to join Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, or ALBA, designed to serve as a counterweight to a U.S. proposed, hemisphere-wide trade deal.
"This act is a symbol of Latin America's desire to be independent," Ortega said.
On Sunday, Ortega was to host a daylong visit by a member of what President Bush has called "the axis of evil:" Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has refused U.S. calls to dismantle the country's nuclear program.
Appearing Thursday with Chavez, Bolivian leader Evo Morales and Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, one of the Cuban revolution's oldest surviving leaders, Ortega said he would continue to work with organizations like the International Monetary Fund, but only "so that they don't keep sacrificing the Nicaraguan people."
Morales praised Ortega for "seeking alternative economic policies," while Chavez lashed out against U.S. influence in the region, including the decade-long, Washington-backed Contra rebel movement that helped push Ortega from power 17 years ago.
"Think of what Nicaragua would be like today if the North American imperialists had allowed Daniel to continue his revolution!" he said.
He promised a slew of aid and investment, including 100,000 barrels of oil under preferential terms and the construction of an oil refinery and factories for Venezuelan products. Later, Ortega and Chavez signed agreements giving Nicaragua $20 million in loans with little or no interest for the country's rural poor as well as help improving health care and education.
Chavez announced his oil-rich nation would forgive $30 million in debt owed by Nicaragua and donate $10 million for Nicaraguan social projects.
Playing to the crowd, Chavez also donated tractors to several farmers who were in the crowd. Chavez announced the aid next to a metal electrical plant, donated by Venezuela shortly after Ortega's Nov. 5 victory.
"As soon as they said Daniel won, it was on a boat," Chavez said of the plant.
Also Thursday, Ortega signed a memorandum promising to maintain ties with Taiwan, dispelling rumors that he might cut ties with the island and seek stronger relations with China.
Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing still claims sovereignty over the island.
Nicaragua' new foreign minister, Samuel Santos, said the move was aimed at "assuring the continued investment, commerce and financing" from Taiwan.
Private investors have remained optimistic, and there are no signs they are pulling money out the country, as they did when Ortega began seizing private property and businesses in the 1980s.
Ortega led Nicaragua throughout the 1980s after his Sandinista rebel movement pushed out dictator Anastasio Somoza. Following his 1990 loss, he ran for president three consecutive times, losing twice before finally claiming victory in November.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Nicaraguan revolutionary Daniel Ortega's first day as president was spent signing a socialist trade pact with allies Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba, and planning a meeting with Iran's hard-line president, actions sure to irritate the U.S. government.
Before taking office, Ortega assured Washington that he would maintain ties and remain part of the regional Central American Free Trade Agreement. But none of those promises were evident Thursday, during which he agreed to join Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, or ALBA, designed to serve as a counterweight to a U.S. proposed, hemisphere-wide trade deal.
"This act is a symbol of Latin America's desire to be independent," Ortega said.
On Sunday, Ortega was to host a daylong visit by a member of what President Bush has called "the axis of evil:" Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has refused U.S. calls to dismantle the country's nuclear program.
Appearing Thursday with Chavez, Bolivian leader Evo Morales and Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, one of the Cuban revolution's oldest surviving leaders, Ortega said he would continue to work with organizations like the International Monetary Fund, but only "so that they don't keep sacrificing the Nicaraguan people."
Morales praised Ortega for "seeking alternative economic policies," while Chavez lashed out against U.S. influence in the region, including the decade-long, Washington-backed Contra rebel movement that helped push Ortega from power 17 years ago.
"Think of what Nicaragua would be like today if the North American imperialists had allowed Daniel to continue his revolution!" he said.
He promised a slew of aid and investment, including 100,000 barrels of oil under preferential terms and the construction of an oil refinery and factories for Venezuelan products. Later, Ortega and Chavez signed agreements giving Nicaragua $20 million in loans with little or no interest for the country's rural poor as well as help improving health care and education.
Chavez announced his oil-rich nation would forgive $30 million in debt owed by Nicaragua and donate $10 million for Nicaraguan social projects.
Playing to the crowd, Chavez also donated tractors to several farmers who were in the crowd. Chavez announced the aid next to a metal electrical plant, donated by Venezuela shortly after Ortega's Nov. 5 victory.
"As soon as they said Daniel won, it was on a boat," Chavez said of the plant.
Also Thursday, Ortega signed a memorandum promising to maintain ties with Taiwan, dispelling rumors that he might cut ties with the island and seek stronger relations with China.
Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing still claims sovereignty over the island.
Nicaragua' new foreign minister, Samuel Santos, said the move was aimed at "assuring the continued investment, commerce and financing" from Taiwan.
Private investors have remained optimistic, and there are no signs they are pulling money out the country, as they did when Ortega began seizing private property and businesses in the 1980s.
Ortega led Nicaragua throughout the 1980s after his Sandinista rebel movement pushed out dictator Anastasio Somoza. Following his 1990 loss, he ran for president three consecutive times, losing twice before finally claiming victory in November.
Sandinista government makes education and health care free again
MANAGUA, January 17.— The re-establishment of free education and health care services, a campaign promise made by newly-elected President Daniel Ortega of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, is beginning to go into effect, according to Prensa Latina.
The new minister of education, Miguel de Castilla, stated on Wednesday, January 17, that public school authorities were no longer permitted to charge students for enrollment, monthly fees, school materials or other supplies.
And in another measure with a far-reaching social impact, the new health minister announced that from now, private medical services were being eliminated from the country’s public hospitals. The minister said that patients would no longer have to pay for medicine, surgery or clinical tests carried out in state health facilities.
(Translated by Granma International)
MANAGUA, January 17.— The re-establishment of free education and health care services, a campaign promise made by newly-elected President Daniel Ortega of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, is beginning to go into effect, according to Prensa Latina.
The new minister of education, Miguel de Castilla, stated on Wednesday, January 17, that public school authorities were no longer permitted to charge students for enrollment, monthly fees, school materials or other supplies.
And in another measure with a far-reaching social impact, the new health minister announced that from now, private medical services were being eliminated from the country’s public hospitals. The minister said that patients would no longer have to pay for medicine, surgery or clinical tests carried out in state health facilities.
(Translated by Granma International)