Opposition to Ortega grows

A Miami Herald article last week profiled the “cyber savvy” youth movement growing in energy both offline and on. The facebook group “Daniel Oretga no me representa!!!” has attracted over 1600 members and been the organizing site for other online campaigns.

The rejuvenated youth movement was in part catalyzed by the 12 day hunger strike by Dora Maria Tellez, who protested the government disqualification of 2 opposition political parties (the ALN and MRS) and their candidates from the November local elections – a move that parallels the similar actions the Chavez government in Venezuela.

Sofia Montenegro, former Sandinista and coordinator of the Nicaraguan Autonomous Women’s Movement, has recently declared the united front of women’s groups in opposition to the government, citing government sponsored abuses of women activists, and the recent criminalization of therapeutic abortion.

As the opposition grows in number and variety, it remains unclear how united the opposition can become or what tangible goals they will set. Last week’s Bloggings by Boz suggests that despite the growing opposition, Ortega’s continued cabal with Aleman and his institutional control will remain undeterred for the time being.



Sources: IPS, Miami Herald Reuters, Facebook, Bloggings by Boz