The Memorable Defeat Daniel Ortega Couldn’t Shake

Nicaragua’s 1990 election remains a significant event, showcasing a story of a past era and a resilient leader seeking vengeance. This year celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Nicaraguan presidential election that ousted the Sandinistas from power. I played a minor role in this historic event, where the world witnessed the first-ever removal of a communist regime through democratic means.

Even after three decades, Nicaragua sees remarkable stability in certain aspects. The persisting issues of poverty, government oppression, and corruption plague the country, with Daniel Ortega, the Sandinista leader who suffered a monumental loss in the February 1990 election, returning to power and internalizing the “lessons” of his defeat.

At that time, the prospect of Ortega’s defeat seemed unfathomable, with Nicaragua being a battleground amid the Cold War conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Sandinistas, confident of a victory, made efforts to legitimize their rule by holding free elections. The opposition coalition rallied behind Violeta Chamorro, a revered figure in Nicaragua due to her husband’s assassination by the Somoza regime in 1978. However, with limited resources and lacking electoral experience, the opposition sought assistance from the United States, bringing in a small team of campaign consultants to support Chamorro’s candidacy.

Amidst the backdrop of a nation ravaged by historical seismic events and political turmoil, our campaign tactics focused on organizing rallies and direct voter engagement. Traversing the country with Chamorro and her running mate, we engaged with voters on a personal level, offering an alternative platform that countered the Sandinistas’ media monopoly and instilled hope in Nicaraguans that their vote could usher in change.

Despite facing intimidation tactics orchestrated by the Sandinista regime, including threats and physical violence, we persevered in our campaign efforts. The presence of pro-government groups, like the “divine mobs,” added layers of complexity to our movements, with roadblocks and surveillance from state security further challenging our operations.

In the days leading up to the election, amid the fall of the Berlin Wall, Chamorro leveraged this historic moment to garner international support. Displaying a piece of the dismantled wall during public appearances symbolized the impending collapse of oppressive regimes, alluding to the Sandinistas’ potential downfall.

As the election neared its conclusion, the Sandinistas intensified their obstruction tactics to impede our campaign. By organizing mandatory union meetings and broadcasting distracting content like Batman, they attempted to dissuade people from participating in our rallies. Despite these obstacles, our commitment to democratic principles and the will of the Nicaraguan people persisted.

The Nicaraguan election of 1990 stands as a pivotal chapter in the country’s history, showcasing the resilience of democracy and the enduring impact of that turbulent period. Daniel Ortega may have returned to power after his initial defeat, but the spirit of change and democracy that fueled that historic election endures in Nicaragua’s collective memory, a testament to the enduring power of free and fair elections.