Marxist Sandinista Movement Could Maintain Permanent Control of Nicaragua -- New constitutional amendments could put dictator in place -- By Daniel Wiser, The Washington Free Beacon

The Marxist Sandinista movement is poised to assume lasting control of Nicaragua through constitutional amendments that would enshrine President Daniel Ortega as a dictator, experts say.

Ortega achieved a landslide victory in 2011 elections that were marred by claims of voting irregularities and impartial polling observers with ties to his Sandinista Party. He said in his first public speech after the elections that he would not seek any major policy changes during his second consecutive presidential term.

However, the Sandinistas controlling Nicaragua’s National Assembly recently proposed a batch of 39 constitutional amendments that would grant Ortega sweeping new powers—including executive decrees that would be treated as laws, appointments of military personnel to the government, and limitless reelection. The measures are likely to pass by the end of the year given that the Sandinistas control 63 of the parliament’s 92 seats.

 (Click link below to read more)
READ MORE Sphere: Related Content