Ortega Woos World to Get More Energy

Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega doesn't seem very picky these days-if a country is willing to do Nicaragua a favor, Ortega is off to visit it and pal up with its head of state. It's made for some strange political bedfellows-and not everyone is happy about it.

He's met with a flurry of foreign dignitaries over the past couple of weeks, largely to ensure support to end Nicaragua's energy crisis and increase aid for social programs.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil was the latest to arrive in Managua, saying that he would "sign as many accords as needed to contribute to growth, development, and social justice in Nicaragua." After the one-day visit, the two leaders hashed out 19 separate accords, including a 68-megawatt hydroelectric plant to be financed by Brazil.

Yet President Ortega turned down Lula's offer to produce ethanol, a fuel source that the Brazilian leader touts as a safe and inexpensive alternative to oil-and one that close ally President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela opposes.

The Brazil meeting follows high-level visits by Spain and Iran. On August 2, the Spanish vice-president announced that Spain will cancel the $31 million debt Nicaragua owes Spain and contribute $5.5 million for the country's health care. Total Spanish assistance for Nicaragua is expected to increase to $79.5 million this year, up nearly $20 million from 2006.

Also that week, an Iranian delegation offered close to $500 million in direct assistance, including a proposed $350 million port at Monkey Point, located near the southern tip of the Atlantic coast. This is Ortega's third meeting with Iranian officials since January, which has provoked some alarm among U.S. officials. The U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua, Paul Trivelli, has warned that Iran can be "a dangerous partner."

Ortega downplayed any controversy over the recent discussions, saying that the Iranian delegation, which included the country's Energy Minister and the Health Director, were simply in Nicaragua to help.

"The Iranian mission is made up of experts in building atomic bombs against hunger," Ortega said.

Your Latin America Insider,

Suzan Haskins
for International Living

P.S. We've been following Ortega since before his election and can tell you all about him and his administration in a new report, Daniel Ortega: The First 180 Days.