Ortega on Track to Become the Chavez of Nicaragua

In a move sure to boost Daniel Ortega's chances of becoming chief executive for life, the Nicaraguan Supreme Court has scrapped presidential term limits, clearing the way for him to run for re-election in 2011. Under the current constitution, presidents cannot serve consecutive terms, and those terms are limited to 5 years. But despite a protest from the opposition judges on the Court, who were not consulted prior to the ruling, Ortega has stated that the decree is "set in stone."

And there you have it. It is constitutional because he says it is so. Not because it is committed to parchment. Not because it is law. But because he who thirsts power demands it.

The controversial ruling follows municipal elections in November of 2008 which were clearly fraudulent. During those elections, Ortega and his Sandinista goons engaged in manipulation so obvious that it would make a cynic blush. Not only were independent observers barred and two political parties denied the right to participate, but ballots cast for the opposition were reportedly found in trash bins after the polls had closed.

At that time, these latter-day Leninists had sought to silence those who would dare to protest such a swindle with brute force, committing various acts of thuggery and intimidation in the streets of Managua and Leon. Now, they are pelting the American embassy with rocks for the US ambassador's criticism of their latest power grab.

And like all communists, Ortega loves agitprop. He has billboards with his likeness from coast to coast. The streets are littered with Sandinista graffiti. The claims of happier days ahead abound.

Nicaragua is a country of contrasts. Its shores are replete with natural wonders, but its homes are circled by barbed wire. It is a nation of beauty and of iron. The poor are very poor, and the rich are very rich. Change is clearly needed and desired. But not at the point of a gun, and certainly not at the risk of civil war.

A dread future lies ahead for this country if the Sandinistas are allowed to consolidate power without regard to the people's will. There is no doubt that Ortega will edge Nicaragua towards a one-party dictatorship in the mold of Hugo Chavez's Venezuela, adding one more domino to the leftward, authoritarian lurch of Latin America. That is, he will unless he is stopped. The opposition cannot allow the court ruling, like the previous elections, to become a fait accompli.