Why Nicaragua’s Capital Is in Flames – TIME
Last week Managua, Nicaragua’s capital, and other major cities erupted in flames as protesters went from neighborhood to neighborhood terrorizing supporters of the Sandinista government. The violence stems from contested elections on mayoral elections on November 9th which are seen by the opposition as having been manipulated months beforehand. For example, the ruling Sandinista government, which during the 80s overthrew the government and replaced it with a socialist state, is criticized for having barred international monitors and for banning several opposition parties from participating. In Managua, even though the opposition claimed victory for mayor, the Sandinistas did not agree so.
So far, the US government has shown concern for the tense situation. Washington’s relation with Managua has been shaky since the election of former rebel leader Daniel Ortega to the presidency a few years ago. Given the even shakier relation since US intervention in Nicaragua in the 80s, the US might be reluctant to intervene in Nicaraguan affairs.
However, the US should be doing more to ensure Nicaragua’s democracy doesn’t collapse. Simply because a democratic country elects an anti-American leader doesn’t mean that the US should not support that nation’s democracy. We cannot expect democracies to elect the leaders we like and who like us (the election of Hamas in the Palestinian territories comes to mind).
The US must be more aggressive in promoting democracy in Latin America after decades of promoting dictatorships. It must do so before authoritarianism comes back.
Could you say a bit more about the benefits of the US doing more to promote democracy in Latin America?