Nicaragua's Opposition Asks The World Not To Recognize The Re-Election of Ortega

Daniel Ortega may have won the presidential elections in Nicaragua and may continue to be president for a third term, however, thousands took to the streets of Managua on Saturday to oppose his "fraudulent election", demanding and calling on the help of the international community to implement the Inter-American Democratic Charter in their country.

The opposition also demanded the presence of "a group of international level" to mediate "the return of democracy" in Nicaragua.

They also requested the "world's democratic governments" not to recognize the reelection of Ortega, "being the result of a massive electoral fraud" and invoke the first article of the Charter, which establishes the right of the people to democracy and the duty of governments to promote democratic principles.

The protest that ended near the headquarter of the country's Supreme Electoral Council, was peaceful and without incident

The critics are taking the opportunity to have their voice heard while Ortega is in Venezuela for the summit of the Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños (CELAC), waving flags and carrying banners with captions "no more electoral fraud", I voted once, the Sandinistas, how many" and "Nicaragua in mourning".

Radio entrepreneur Fabio Gadea, former presidential candidate for the alliance Independent Liberal Party (PLI), the main opposition force in the country, participated in the protest and declared himself "legitimate president elected."

"We all know that I am deprived of being the constitutional president Nicaragua", Gadea said the main speech of the march.

He maintains that the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) committed fraud by falsifying thousands of votes and giving children identity cards, essential to exercise the right to vote.

"No one can doubt such a theft", he said.

"All of you voted for me and all of our votes were mocked. We are here to denounce this fraud", continued Gadea.

For her part, in a statement read by Violeta Granera, director of Citizens Union for Democracy (UCD), organizer of the protest, "repudiate" all "violations of the Constitution," "abuse of power" of the Nicaraguan President and "fraud" in the elections of November 6, where Ortega won with 62.46% of the vote, according to final results.

According to the opponents, who did not give a number of people who attended the march, but said "represented millions" of citizens, Nicaragua is in "urgent need to resume the path of democracy".

To do this, they explained, this country requires the presence of a "high level group of international" to "mediate for the return of democracy in Nicaragua".

Granera added that failure to hold new elections before Ortega begin his new term in January will mean the installation of "an illegal and illegitimate government".

Also, opponents charged that various delegations from the interior of the country were allegedly prevented from mobilizing to Managua to join the opposition march.

The former head of the alliance campaign PLI, Eliseo Nuñez Morales, told EFE that the challenge is to keep active opponents protesting against the re-election of Ortega.

"This is the beginning of a struggle that is going to be an uphill struggle in which we must be prepared to continue, rather than to do it for just one day or two", he said.

Morales added that Ortega "established" a dictatorship over the past five hear and will now use the next five to attempt to "consolidate" with "dynastic characteristics", which leads to "physical repression".

Opponents demanded of the current government to "an end to repression" and against "the rights to freedom of expression, mobilization and organization".