Ortega has taken controversial positions, at an international level. In his search for economic aid, Ortega is building alliances with governments that are violating human rights. Paradoxically, the Nicaraguan President feels that this will bring social aid to the country.

Russia

After the 2008 conflicts between Georgia and Russia, Nicaragua was the second nation to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, after Russia. Venezuela and Cuba also followed, and it is believed that these three Latin American countries stated this in their “retaliation against the West”, more specifically to the United States. (Russia: Nicaragua’s recognition of Abkhazia, South Ossetia seen as “trial balloon”) Chavez and Ortega share the common rhetoric of anti-imperialism, targeted at the United States. However, Nicaragua needs all the money it can obtain just to keep the economy afloat and maintain certain social programs benefiting the poor, so it is not in their benefit to establish bad relations with any country. The Sandinistas recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in hope of creating economic ties with Russia to someday receive funding. Russia has promised to provide more military weaponry and continue a canal project that the United States abandoned. (Schmidt)

Iran

In June 2007, Ortega arrived in Iran and gave a speech, in which he stated that he wished to strengthen mutual ties with Iran. BBC later reported: “Nicaragua has entered a new chapter, he said and expressed hope that his country would witness justice, freedom and real democracy and national unity.” (Nicaraguan president speaks of need for “unity”, “justice” on arrival in Iran) If one asked 4 out of 5 Nicaraguans, they would currently feel the opposite of what Ortega stated in his speech. After several meetings between President Ortega and President Ahmadinezhad (Iran), agreements were established to build health clinics and a $350 million deep-water seaport in Nicaragua. (Schmidt) However, considering the economic crisis, this may delay these projects.

Taiwan

Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Solomon Islands are three countries that have supported the idea of Taiwan joining the United Nations. (Nicaragua vows to be “staunchest supporter” of Taiwan’s UN bid) Taiwan is not yet seeking a full membership in the UN, but their first step of entering the UN agencies depends mainly on China. There has been a constant debate concerning the entry of Taiwan into the UN. China has opposed to including Taiwan in the UN because they argued that Taiwan is still a constituent of China. Meanwhile, the Taiwanese President Ma Ying-Jeou is trying to strengthen the ties between his nation and China with the idea of having a “diplomatic truce”. Ties between Nicaragua and Taiwan continue to be maintained, and the Sandinista government approves of the attempt in a diplomatic agreement between the two Asian countries. (Nicaragua vows to be “staunchest supporter” of Taiwan’s UN bid)

Works Cited:

• Arostegui, Martin. “Ortega pitches ties with Chavez; Claims ‘sovereignty’ on islands.” The Washington Times. 8 February 2008.

• Booth, William. “Democracy in Nicaragua in Peril, Ortega Critics Say.” The Washington Post. 20 November 2008.

• Caroit, Jean-Michel. “Nicaragua elections municipales; Le pouvoir sandiniste intensifie ses attaques contre l’opposition.” Le Monde. 21 October 2008.

• Casas-Zamora, Kevin. “Don’t let Nicaragua’s Ortega become a Mugabe.” Christian Science Monitor. 30 December 2008.

• Glassman, James. “Decline of Ortega’s Nicaragua; U.S. missing a chance to mend fences in Latin America?.” The Washington Times. 4 March 2009.

• “How to steal and election; Nicaragua.” The Economist. 15 November 2008.

• “Inglorious; Nicaragua.” The Economist. 7 June 2008.

• Lacey, Mark. “Sandinista Fervor Turns Sour for Former Comrades of Nicaragua’s President.” The New York Times. 24 November 2008.

• “Nicaragua vows to be “staunchest supporter” of Taiwan’s UN bid.” British Broadcasting Corporation. 15 September 2008.

• “Nicaraguan president speaks of need for “unity”, “justice” on arrival in Iran.” British Broadcasting Corporation. 10 June 2007.

• “Physical Map of Central America.” Physical Map of Central America. 2009. 24 March 2009. <http://geology.com/world/central-america-physical-map.shtml>.

• Ribando Seelke, Clare. “Nicaragua: Political Situation and U.S. Relations.” 17 March 2008. <http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:jbKNIyv4mmQJ:fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RS22836.pdf+nicaragua+relationship+with+the+US&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&client=firefox-a>.

• Rosenberg, Tina. “The Many Stories of Carlos Fernando Chamorro.” The New York Times. 22 March 2009.

• “Russia: Nicaragua’s recognition of Abkhazia, South Ossetia seen as “trial balloon”.” British Broadcasting Corporation. 7 September 2008.

• Schmidt, Blake. “Mayor fights turns violent in Managua.” The Washington Times. 19 November 2008.

• “Tearing up the rules; Nicaragua.” The Economist. 16 August 2008.

• “Trading Arguments: Central America.” The Economist. 14 July 2007.

• “‘Twixt Washington and Caracas; Nicaragua.” The Economist. 13 Jan 2007.