Fraudulent Democracy

After watching the Democratic process in the US, I found myself quite impressed with not only the process, but also the results and so was the rest of the world. Suddenly, I feel safer traveling as an American now that Obama is president. Obama's platform of change not only transcends policies, but also physical appearances from the typical white president America has always known; a change that the rest of the world can visibly see. Nicaraguans congratulate me on the election, as does every single traveler I meet. America, overnight, is no longer seen as the bully, but as a country that can implement peace in the world again. Whether Obama lives up to the world expectations or not, I am enjoying the sudden respect America has again in the world's eyes.

Nicaraguans enjoy democracy in their country as well, but it is of the fraudulent kind with the saran wrap cover of democracy labeled on the outside. The right people in power can easily change the content while keeping the same label since Nicaragua relies on the heavy past of corruption in their government to carry it forward in the same manner. Only 2 groups dominate the electoral scene because President Ortega, with the Sandinista party, made a deal with the PLC, the liberal which really means conservative, party that those parties would be the only ones to dominate Congress and even hold positions in the Supreme Court. And in 2006, Ortega managed to win the election with only 38% popular vote since conveniently, a law passed to lower the limit of % needed to win the presidency to 35%. Much of the Sandinista history can be reviewed at the Museum of Revolution that contains worn down photocopies of people and old rocket launchers and grenades. America's constant intervention is also mentioned and their dislike of Reagan because of his support for the Contras known for their brutal killings in Nicaragua, but also mislabeled and misguided as the "Freedom Fighters" in the US. The tour guide is a devout Sandinista and the men who hang out in front of the building appear to be drug addicts with the sign that reads that Bush is an enemy of humanity.

Over the weekend, the entire country held elections for the position of city mayor. Despite the supposedly democratic process in the election, the Liberals are crying fraud. The Sandinistas won major elections in Managua, the capital, and in Leon even though the majority favor the Liberals. I have heard both sides and I am quite fascinated with the passion each side has for their party. Everyone has an opinion and protests continue to occur. I had hoped to run into riots in the streets after the election, but all the police in riot gear probably prevented much of that from happening. The Liberals are claiming that the Sandinistas prevented Liberal watchers from overseeing the vote counting in some areas as well as shutting down polling places early to prevent the Liberals from voting. From Saturday to Monday at 6pm, no alcohol was served and the elections were Sunday with the party Monday night. This is to keep the rowdies from getting out of control.


Monday night, I joined the Sandinistas in celebrating their newly elected mayor. He happily hugged small children shook hands with the men while smiling at the women. The Sandinistas danced proudly in the streets while the Liberals complained loudly and then later marched through the streets ripping up the Sandinista flag. A group of Sandinista guys I met explained that they are proud of their democratic process because the people voted. Well, the government is in the process of deciding if indeed all votes of the people are accounted for, but given Ortega's position in power, I'm sure the Sandinistas will keep their positions. And history repeats itself.