IL Postcard

Ortega Has His Priorities Wrong, Say Critics

Date: 10/01/2007

October 2, 2007
Managua, Nicaragua

Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega is wasting his time on the wrong battles-at least, that's what his fellow citizens seem to think, judging from their reaction to his speech last week at the United Nations general assembly.

Ortega used his time at the podium--his first visit in 17 years--to lash out at the U.S. and to defend Iran, a decision that drew immediate criticism at home. Before his trip, Ortega had said that he would use the speech to appeal for $292 million in international aid to recover from Hurricane Felix, which he called one of the worst natural catastrophes in Nicaragua's history.

Instead, Ortega appeared to improvise his talk and spent much of the time at the U.N. general assembly bashing the U.S., accusing the government of being the "most impressive, huge dictatorship that has [ever] existed," and condemned its "cruel and inhuman" blockade of Cuba.

Ortega also said that the U.S. was hypocritical in trying to deny Iran and North Korea nuclear technology.

"The U.S. is the only country in the world to have launched nuclear bombs on innocent people," said Ortega, referring to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, a criticism he's brought up in other recent speeches.

Opposition leaders and the U.S. ambassador in Managua were quick to condemn the talk, saying that the former revolutionary leader missed an important opportunity to appeal for hurricane relief.

Hurricane Felix, a category five storm, affected nearly 198,000 people on Nicaragua's remote Atlantic coast and caused $850 million in damages, according to the latest government estimates. At least 20,000 homes and 47 hospitals were destroyed, with a confirmed 102 deaths expected to rise to 300..

"It strikes me that the vast majority of Nicaraguans desire a positive relationship with the U.S., and that they are genuinely appreciative of our assistance programs, including our recent efforts to help the victims of Hurricane Felix," Ambassador Paul Trivelli said in a statement to Nicaraguan reporters.

Your Latin America Insider,

Suzan Haskins
for International Living

P.S. Traveling to other countries can open our eyes to new cultures, languages-and business opportunities. Learn how to find business opportunities when you travel. Join us at our Global Opportunities conference in Denver Nov. 12-14.