House Foreign Affairs Committee, Washington, 11 Jan 2012 – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on today’s inauguration of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua, which is being attended by Venezuela’s Chavez and Iran’s Ahmadinejad. Ahmadinejad’s visit to Nicaragua for the inauguration marks the second stop on his ‘tour of tyrants’ trip to Latin America. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
“It is a disgrace that Daniel Ortega is being inaugurated today after his illegitimate election two months ago. His so-called ‘re-election’ was marred by widespread fraud and a blatant disregard for the rule of law. He simply chose to ignore the Nicaraguan constitution, which bans the incumbent from running for consecutive terms.
“Since returning to power in 2007, Ortega has orchestrated a massive power grab and worked to undermine freedom, democracy, rule of law, and the constitution. Due to Ortega’s fraudulent election, the Sandinistas have also seized an overwhelming majority in the National Assembly, which will grant Ortega an opportunity to, yet again, change the Nicaraguan constitution for his personal gain while ignoring the rights of the thousands of Nicaraguan people who have peacefully marched on the streets of Managua pleading for democratic order.
“It is no coincidence that Iran’s Ahmadinejad and Venezuela’s Chavez are among the few heads of state that will cheer on Ortega in today’s ceremony. The Cuban regime has also sent a high-ranking delegation. These brutal dictators stick together. Ahmadinejad is in Latin America this week and made Nicaragua his second stop on his ‘tour of tyrants.’ Iran has turned to dictatorial regimes in the Western Hemisphere for help as responsible nations seek to increase their pressure on Tehran.
“The United States made the right decision in not sending a delegation to take part in Ortega’s shameful inaugural ceremony. However, I am disappointed that the Administration has not spoken out more forcefully about this stolen Nicaraguan election. The United States and other free, democratic nations in the Hemisphere must denounce the Ortega tyranny immediately, call for the reinstitution of the democratic process in Nicaragua, and remain alert against the continued rise of dictatorships in the region and their alliances with Iran.”