http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/11/05/nicaragua.elections.ap/index.html

Looks like the effects of Reagan's illegaly funded war in Central America have finally been reversed.

This will be the second time Ortega has been democratically elected, and this time there's no supposed monolithic Soviet influence to fear (stop kidding yourself with "TEH VENEZUELAN THREAT!"). Previously, Ortega was able to make moderate gains in the awful Nicaraguan economy (the economy was 2/3 private, with the last 3rd formerly belonging to the exiled dictator Anastasio Somoza) up until the Contra destabilization killed growth. The resulting chaos from the Contra war made the nation into a more totalitarian state as Ortega feared his ouster by the US-backed Contras, which deteriorated into the chaos of 1990 which saw Ortega get voted out (rightfully so, with him in power the war would not stop). This will be interesting to watch. My prediction: Hugo Chavez convinces Ortega to blow money on his stupid international stunts instead of on developing an infrastructure still showing the effects of the Contra (who really weren't that influential, they just had good weapons) destabilization and destruction.

Quote :

"The U.S. has warned against an Ortega win, with Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez saying that aid and trade "will be endangered" if "anti-democratic forces prevail." "

Not to say his presidency was w/o its faults, but what exactly makes us think that Ortega is "anti-democratic" if he was both elected democratically and defeated democratically without a hitch previously?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6112942.stm

A better article on the election. One of his major planks this time is the attraction of more foreign investments.

[Edited on November 5, 2006 at 6:29 PM. Reason : .,]

11/5/2006 6:13:12 PM

http://www.soaw.org/new/

11/5/2006 7:58:45 PM

You're a step ahead of me

11/5/2006 8:00:24 PM

you goin? im gonna be there

11/5/2006 8:03:37 PM

I'm sure someone from my church is going, but I already have plans that weekend. I went 2 years ago.

11/5/2006 8:25:39 PM