By: Sam Gordon

Sam Gordon — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:42:54 +0000

These two commentaries give a fair snap shot of the polarised positions which appear to dominate the political terrain of Nicaragua today. One proclaims Nicaragua under Sandinista governance, not perfect, but moving towards land of milk and honey status. The other view laments Nicaragua and the continued political influence of the FSLN as something akin to the Fall of Man after the Garden of Eden.
But other features exist which are unseen or unspoken in a lot of left commentary. Few would argue that life in Nicaragua is better for more people than it was under government of parties with a liberal outlook. Although few would buy the line that literacy has been eliminated a second time.
But the first writer is correct in saying that under the Sandinistas health and education have seen notable changes in emphasis. Oil from Venezuela has kept electrical power flowing to workshops and factories. It has kept transport on the move and helped public services function. But the perception that the economic mechanisms that change crude oil into the energy feed stock of the nation is in the hands of private individuals, the Ortega family and friends, is wide spread.
The second article correctly points to Rosario Murillo, wife of Daniel Ortega, as a shining star within the FSLN. It would hardly be an exaggeration to say that she is the most powerful politician in Nicaragua today. She holds the post of Coordinator of the Council of Communication and Citizenship. Rosario is literally the voice of the FSLN and apparently the government too. But her post is not an elected office.
There is talk here that she could be the FSLN candidate for president come the next presidential elections in 2017. It’s too soon to say if that one will fly.
Perhaps the biggest unseen and unspoken of feature on the political landscape is discontent that has accumulated over the years since the Sandinistas won the presidential elections in 2006. A number of leading figures, seen as FSLN loyalists, have been relieved of their posts. It’s hard to believe these political animals have suddenly become politically inactive.
Further down the line of FSLN identity there are those who say they are Sandinista but not Danielista. Along with other voters who don’t make politics part of their daily bread these form an electoral component, the size of which it is difficult to measure.
So far there are no signs of any attempt to mobilise these people. While the FSLN machine continues to talk of revolution many Nicaraguans seem to be saying, we’ve heard it all before. And up until now none has not raised a banner in the ample space to the left of the present FSLN.

Comments on: Nicaragua: 21st century Sandinismo – or losing the revolution?

By: Sam Gordon