| According to preliminary data, the leader of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), 60-year-old Daniel Ortega, won the presidential elections in Nicaragua on November 5. He appears to have secured the support of over 40% of those who voted. Ortega's rival, representative of the conservative Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance Eduardo Montealegre, scored just over 32%. If these data are confirmed, there will be no second round. National legislation provides for it to be held if none of the candidates receives 35% of the votes. Ortega's supporters, under red and black flags, have already begun to celebrate the victory. To the sounds of the FSLN election anthem, set to the tune of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance," they filled the streets, illuminated by fireworks. Daniel Ortega was president of Nicaragua from 1985 to 1990 during a civil war with pro-American contra groups. In 1990 he lost the elections to the anti-Sandinista alliance. Ortega is friends with the leaders of Cuba and Venezuela, Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez. Victor VOLODIN | |
