This past 19th of July was the 27th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution that toppled the Somoza dynasty. After a beginning full of hope Nicaragua has failed to live up to those hopes. A decade of intestine war in the 1980's into which both sides happily jumped into. A decade of missed opportunities in the 1990's in which the democratically elected governments preferred to line their pockets rather than build a nation. Now half way through the first decade of the millennium things do not look bright at all. Daniel Ortega, the perennial Sandnista presidential candidate is ahead in the polls and has managed to undermine all of the national institutions that guarantee a normal democratic society. Since losing to Voileta Chamorro in 1991 he has played the role of spoiler and has shown interest only in regaining the presidency at all cost but war, with the complicit help of the corrupt political elite.

This time he is playing the role of the supreme reconciler of the Nicaraguan Society. And he is poised at regaining the presidency once and for all. Nicaragua's poor, sick and tired of bad government, corruption, mismanagement and crass abandonment by the supposed democratic right wing politicians in power since 1991 are ready to let him have his chance.

The questions are several.

Will he relinquish power once his term is up?

What type of government will he lead?

As an unrepentant revolutionary, leftist leader and warlord, will he respect the freedom of the press, or any other democratic value?

To tell you the truth I am quite sick of this current crop of political leadership which has done little to help the country. Despite of them Nicaragua has moved forward and society as a whole has managed to create wealth.

Next November 5 we will having our presidential elections. It should be an interesting show of strength between the Latin American recycled left and the inept rightwing politicians.

These are the pics of the 19th of July rally. Tell me what you see in them about what the next government holds for us.


Here are the pics.




During a Rama dance troupe presentation Ortega cannot contain the politician in him. Photo LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter

copyright LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter



Using a Nicaraguan flag as a cape Daniel Ortega holds a Rama child. All politicians are the same. As soon as they see a baby they have to grab to the poor child. Photo LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter

copyright LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter



Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo sing revolutionary songs. Photo LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter

copyright LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter



The highlight of the event was a Maya ceremony blessing Daniel Ortega. Photo LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter

copyright LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter



WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT. Wife of Sandinista vice presidential candidate Jaime Morales Carazo, a right wing politician, and Rosario Murillo wife of Daniel Ortega wave to the crowd. Photo LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter

copyright LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter



The crowd of Sandinista faithful await their leader. Photo LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter

copyright LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter



Two young men try to climb up a pole to plant a Sandinsta flag, but run into each other on the way up. Photo LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter

Copyrigt LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter



Too many people, too much excitement and too much booze. A volunteer carries a young man that passed out after waiting for too long for Daniel Ortega. Photo LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter

copyright LA PRENSA/Tomas Stargardter