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Ortega's return

Now that Daniel Ortega is back in power in Nicaragua, his compatriots wait to see whether the former Sandinista commander's inner fire has been extinguished. Mr. Ortega, who was voted out of office in 1990 and failed to make it twice since then, won the presidential election held on November 5 with nearly 40 per cent of the vote in his favour. In the days ahead of the poll, there was talk about the likelihood of a second round run-off. In the event, his total vote and the lead over the closest rival made it unnecessary. Runner-up Eduardo Montealegre of the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance got 29 per cent while Jose Rizo of the Constitutional Liberal Party came third with 26 per cent. Mr. Ortega must count himself lucky since his two closest rivals effectively split the anti-Sandinista vote. In contrast, the Nicaraguan Left displayed greater solidarity and offered little support to the two Sandinista dissidents who were also in the fray. The question that is now being asked is whether Mr. Ortega has shed the leftist ideology he espoused when he ruled his country in the 1980s. During the election, he campaigned on the slogan of "jobs, peace and reconciliation" but in the past he had spoken out against "savage capitalism" and the harm done to poor farmers by globalisation.

A United States administration in which several sponsors of the one-time "contras" figure quite prominently obviously thinks that the revolutionary leader has not changed. In a blatant interference in Nicaragua's internal affairs, the U. S. let it be known that aid might be cut if Mr. Ortega was elected. As a counter to this new manifestation of hegemonism, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez promised to provide cheap oil and other forms of support if the Sandinista National Liberation Front's leader was returned to power. Mr. Ortega might have to make some very tough choices as he tries to set the course for his government. The U.S. takes in about 60 per cent of Nicaragua's exports; provides employment to thousands of emigrants whose remittances are vital for its economy; and can threaten to squeeze financial assistance. At the same time, the trade unions and the rural poor who make up the larger part of the Sandinista base of support will press Mr. Ortega to implement pro-people policies. If he decides to go by his ideological moorings, the Nicaraguan President will strengthen the leftist tide that is sweeping Latin America.

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