El triunfo de la revolucion

Tuesday July 19: El triunfo de la revoluccion

Kinema gave me an overview of contemporary Nicaraguan politics today: it was really fascinating to get a different perspective on politics. I think Elisa is largely in support of FSLN; Kinema is a member of a different party, the PLC (which I think stands for partido liberal conservador). Here’s the short timeline she gave me:

1979: triumph of the revolution; rule by junta directiva of about 10 people (including Violetta Barrios de Chamorro; Somoza in Honduras, conducting a US-supported border war to try to retake Nicaragua

1984: 1^st elections; Daniel Ortega de Saavedra elected; US economic blockade produces real hardships. Food rationing and forced conscription (servicio military patriotico) make FSLN much less popular; but the campaign against illiteracy is seen by all as a very good thing.

1990: 2^nd elections; Violeta Barrios de Chamorro in power; ends food rationing and forced subscriptions, but puts Daniel Ortega’s brother Humberto in charge of the military and gives cabinet positions to other Sandinistas. Daniel Ortega announces “We are governing from below”—this becomes a popular phrase. US embargo is lifted; life seems easier.

1996: 3^rd elections: Violetta retires from politics; her coalition government (UNO) dissolves and Arnaldo Alemán re-starts the PLC (originally formed back in the days of Somoza) and becomes president. Roads are built, infrastructure improved. School however ceases to be mandatory (and Elisa would add, parents have to pay fees and provide uniforms). Nicaragua is hit by a hurricane and foreign aid floods in, but Alemán is said to have taken 60% of this aid for himself.

2002: 4^th elections: Arnaldo Alemán appoints Ernesto Bolaños his successor. After taking office, Bolaños accuses Alemán of massive theft and corruption. Alemán is pursued by legal charges in Nicaragua, Panama, Miami. After three years, he is absolved of wrong-doing in Miami, but found guilty in Nicaragua. He goes to jail (with a private cook and bodyguard, of course), supposedly for 20 years.

2005: Daniel Ortega cuts a deal with Alemán: you (PLC) guarantee me 37% of the vote, and I’ll see you absolved of any wrongdoing.

2007: Daniel Ortega wins the election, with the support of PLC, and (then? maybe earlier?) Alemán gets out of jail free. According to the constitution of 1984, Daniel Ortega has now served two terms and is ineligible to serve a third.

2011: FSLN says that the law against a third term only applies to consecutive terms. Major candidates are FSLN (Ortega); PLC (Alemán); PLI (Fabio Gueva?) My jaw dropped. Now I understand a little better why everyone is saying that there are no good candidates. There’s a chance PLC and PLI will combine, with Fabio as the presidential candidate and Arnaldo Alemán as vice-president. That’s what Kinema is hoping for.

James and Zoe have gone off to Managua to help celebrate the triumph of the revolution. Can’t wait to hear their stories! Jeremy’s convinced they’ve gone to be robbed. Photos to follow, I hope.