While Latin America’s love of the political left has decreased as the oily money runs dry (e.g. Venezuela), one leader continues to strengthen his political grip across all corners of his country. Daniel Ortega, the 1980’s guerilla fighter who rose to fame by removing the Somoza dictatorship, is now creating his own version of authoritarianism.
Nicaragua is set to hold presidential elections in November 2016, where Ortega will run for his third term (after changing the constitutional term limits). Evidently, Ortega is the overwhelming favorite given that he banned the main opposition party from running. Moreover, last week he removed all political opposition from Congress, essentially guaranteeing unanimous support from the legislative, judicial and executive branch. He stands alone.
This week, he nominated his wife as his running mate, and guaranteed that the Presidency will remain a family-run business. – READ MORE
