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'''Daniel Ortega''' (b. 1945) came to power in [[Nicaragua]] by overthrowing the [[Somoza family|Somoza dynasty]] and enforcing a [[Communist]] regime on the country.<ref>As one of the leading commanders of the Sandinista forces that ousted Nicaraguan president [[Anastasio Somoza Debayle]] in July 1979, he became head of the ruling junta in the subsequent leftist regime. In disputed elections in November 1984, he was elected president. [http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/18/interviews/ortega/ (CNN)] </ref>

'''Daniel Ortega''' (born 1945) came to power in [[Nicaragua]] by overthrowing the [[Somoza family|Somoza dynasty]] and enforcing a [[Communist]] regime on the country.<ref>As one of the leading commanders of the Sandinista forces that ousted Nicaraguan president [[Anastasio Somoza Debayle]] in July 1979, he became head of the ruling junta in the subsequent leftist regime. In disputed elections in November 1984, he was elected president. [http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/18/interviews/ortega/ (CNN)]</ref>

The [[Contras]] rose up to defy his socialist dictatorship and were supported by United States President [[Ronald Reagan]] including covertly diverting funds to their cause that created the [[Iran-Contra affair]].

The [[Contras]] rose up to defy his socialist dictatorship and were supported by United States President [[Ronald Reagan]] including covertly diverting funds to their cause that created the [[Iran-Contra affair]].

After seizing power in Nicaragua, the Sandinista regime instituted dictatorial rule as early as December 1979, and formally announced a State of Emergency in 1982.

After seizing power in Nicaragua, the Sandinista regime instituted dictatorial rule as early as December 1979, and formally announced a State of Emergency in 1982.

Under the new "Law for the Maintenance of Order and Public Security" the "Tribunales Populares Anti-Somozistas" allowed for the indefinite holding of suspected counter-revolutionaries without trial. The State of Emergency, however, most notably affected rights and guarantees contained in the "Statute on Rights and Guarantees of Nicaraguans.  Many civil liberties were curtailed or canceled such as the freedom to organize demonstrations, the inviolability of the home, freedom of the press, freedom of speech and, the freedom to strike. <ref>West, W. Gordon. "The Sandista Record on Human Rights in Nicaragua (1979-1990)"  http://www.reds.msh-paris.fr/publications/revue/pdf/ds22/ds022-03.pdf (PDF). Réseau Européen Droit et Société. Retrieved 2009-03-30.</ref>

Under the new "Law for the Maintenance of Order and Public Security" the "Tribunales Populares Anti-Somozistas" allowed for the indefinite holding of suspected counter-revolutionaries without trial. The State of Emergency, however, most notably affected rights and guarantees contained in the "Statute on Rights and Guarantees of Nicaraguans.  Many civil liberties were curtailed or canceled such as the freedom to organize demonstrations, the inviolability of the home, freedom of the press, freedom of speech and, the freedom to strike.<ref>West, W. Gordon. "The Sandista Record on Human Rights in Nicaragua (1979-1990)"  http://www.reds.msh-paris.fr/publications/revue/pdf/ds22/ds022-03.pdf (PDF). Réseau Européen Droit et Société. Retrieved 2009-03-30.</ref>

All independent news program broadcasts were suspended. In total, twenty-four programs were cancelled. In addition, Sandinista censor Nelba Cecilia Blandón issued a decree ordering all radio stations to hook up every six hours to government radio station, La Voz de La Defensa de La Patria.<ref>Chomorro Cardenal, Jaime (1988). La Prensa, The Republic of Paper. University Freedom House. p. 20.</ref>

All independent news program broadcasts were suspended. In total, twenty-four programs were cancelled. In addition, Sandinista censor Nelba Cecilia Blandón issued a decree ordering all radio stations to hook up every six hours to government radio station, La Voz de La Defensa de La Patria.<ref>Chomorro Cardenal, Jaime (1988). La Prensa, The Republic of Paper. University Freedom House. p. 20.</ref>

The rights affected also included certain procedural guarantees in the case of detention including habeas corpus.<ref>West, W. Gordon, ibid.</ref> The State of Emergency was not lifted during the 1984 elections. There were many instances where rallies of opposition parties were physically broken up by Sandinsta youth or pro-Sandinista mobs. Opponents to the State of Emergency argued its intent was to crush resistance to the FSLN. James Wheelock justified the actions of the Directorate by saying "... We are annulling the license of the false prophets and the oligarchs to attack the revolution.” <ref>"Behind the State of Emergency". Envío. November 1985. http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/3413. Retrieved 2008-02-16.</ref>

The rights affected also included certain procedural guarantees in the case of detention including habeas corpus.<ref>West, W. Gordon, ibid.</ref> The State of Emergency was not lifted during the 1984 elections. There were many instances where rallies of opposition parties were physically broken up by Sandinsta youth or pro-Sandinista mobs. Opponents to the State of Emergency argued its intent was to crush resistance to the FSLN. James Wheelock justified the actions of the Directorate by saying "... We are annulling the license of the false prophets and the oligarchs to attack the revolution.” <ref>"Behind the State of Emergency". Envío. November 1985. http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/3413. Retrieved 2008-02-16.</ref>

His regime was responsible for the deaths of as many as 50,000 people.

His regime was responsible for the deaths of as many as 50,000 people.

Ortega never completely left the political scene and ran and lost again for President in 1996 and 2001, but 16 years later after his initial defeat, he became president of Nicaragua again, this time democratically, after winning the election held on November 5th, 2006.  He was aided by a change to the rules that a candidate only needed 35% of the vote to avoid a runoff instead of the previous 45%.  He campaigned as the candidate of peace and that land grabbing and attacking the church would no longer be a part of his future as it was his past.<ref>Max Blumenthal, "The Kinder, Gentler Daniel Ortega," http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070205/blumenthal</ref>

Ortega never completely left the political scene and ran and lost again for President in 1996 and 2001, but 16 years later after his initial defeat, he became president of Nicaragua again, this time democratically, after winning the election held on November 5, 2006.  He was aided by a change to the rules that a candidate only needed 35% of the vote to avoid a runoff instead of the previous 45%.  He campaigned as the candidate of peace and that land grabbing and attacking the church would no longer be a part of his future as it was his past.<ref>Max Blumenthal, "The Kinder, Gentler Daniel Ortega," http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070205/blumenthal</ref>

Soon after Ortega assumed the presidency it was discovered that his ways had stayed the same. Under Ortega, Nicaragua established close ties with the terroristic regime of Iran<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6261721.stm Iran and Nicaragua vow close ties - BBC]</ref> and [[Hugo Chavez]]'s tyrannical government.<ref>[http://blog.american.com/2011/06/ortegas-nicaragua-to-chavez-please-dont-die-please/ Nicaragua and Venezuela’s Well-Oiled Relationship - The American Enterprise Institute]</ref> Ortega has also used voter fraud in order to help his party win mayoralities during the 2008 municipal elections and had judges loyal to him use [[judicial activism]] in order to disregard the Nicaraguan constitution allow him to run for president again in the upcoming November 2011 elections.<ref>[http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2011/10/nicaraguas-presidential-elections-how-daniel-ortega-could-shame-democracy Nicaragua’s Presidential Elections: How Daniel Ortega Could Shame Democracy - The American Heritage Foundation]</ref>He was re-elected with a 62% popular vote.

Soon after Ortega assumed the presidency it was discovered that his ways had stayed the same. Under Ortega, Nicaragua established close ties with the terroristic regime of Iran<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6261721.stm Iran and Nicaragua vow close ties - BBC]</ref> and [[Hugo Chavez]]'s tyrannical government.<ref>[http://blog.american.com/2011/06/ortegas-nicaragua-to-chavez-please-dont-die-please/ Nicaragua and Venezuela’s Well-Oiled Relationship - The American Enterprise Institute]</ref> Ortega has also used voter fraud in order to help his party win mayoralities during the 2008 municipal elections and had judges loyal to him use [[judicial activism]] in order to disregard the Nicaraguan constitution allow him to run for president again in the upcoming November 2011 elections.<ref>[http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2011/10/nicaraguas-presidential-elections-how-daniel-ortega-could-shame-democracy Nicaragua’s Presidential Elections: How Daniel Ortega Could Shame Democracy - The American Heritage Foundation]</ref> He was re-elected with a 62% popular vote.

== References ==

== References ==