Nicaragua's Sandinistas accused of paying for power

Daniel Ortega's ruling Sandinistas Front is using strong-arm tactics to limit opposition, observers say.

Several opposition lawmakers have accused the Sandinistas of offering substantial sums of money to reach the votes needed to reverse the constitutional ban on consecutive reelection and legitimize Daniel Ortega's 2011 candidacy.

BY TIM ROGERS
Special to The Miami Herald

MANAGUA -- Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is allegedly dipping into hefty Venezuela-funded coffers to bribe, buy and scatter the weakened opposition as part of his push for a second term, lawmakers and analysts say.

And when money doesn't work, Ortega's ruling Sandinista Front is using strong-arm tactics to silence the opposition, including the removal of four democratically elected mayors in the past month, the analysts say.

Several opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly have accused the Sandinistas of offering substantial sums of money to reach the 56 votes -- or 60 percent of lawmakers -- needed to reverse the constitutional ban on consecutive reelection and legitimize Ortega's 2011 candidacy. Sandinista lawmakers deny the allegations.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/06/24/1699497/sandinistas-accused-of-paying.html