Coastal Dreaming

If only I could control time. Fast forward to November 2011. Nicaragua holds a new election and the country can finally decry the Somoza – Sandinista era as history. The long drawn out Sandinista Revolution can now finally be put to bed. Daniel Ortega’s last stand will be over. He will have served his only term as President of defunct political system strife with ineptness. Democracy prevails in Nicaragua and rebuilding can finally occur. The 2nd poorest country in Latin America can now finally move forward under new leadership and enter the world economy of the 21st Century boasting its glorious environmental resources. The passionate and exceptional people of Nicaragua will finally be given opportunity rather than empty promises. The economic and political future of Nicaragua is on the rise.

If only I could control time…. Instead I will be required to live the 3 ½ years with Daniel Ortega and his “inexcusably irresponsible” government, his “institutional authoritarianism” and his implementation of the controversial Councils of Citizen Power (CPC’s). Economist Edmundo Jarquin recently warns of these political intrusions and social concerns in this Nica Times article. The more I read about Mr. Ortega, the Iranians, Chavez, CPC’s, the canceling of elections on the Atlantic Coast, and “tendencies to consolidate power” the more concerned I get about my investments in Nicaragua. Ortega and his policies are what we would refer to as external known- unknown risk to foreign investors. It is true, since Ortega’s Presidency, land values have declined, fear has risen, property owners are selling rather than buying, and many wonder about the safety of their investments. It is possible that Ortega’s control can outstrip the current Democracy, he could become the next dictator, civil strive in Nicaragua could return to 1980’s chaos. It is possible all of my investments could go to Zero. Only 3 ½ years left.

What is the good news? Think of all of the opportunity to learn. I will be given first hand opportunity to learn about political systems in Latin America, foreign policy agendas of the United States, history, culture, geography, economics, foreign finance, and much, much more. Every morning I awaken to the unbelievable transference of knowledge on the Internet. My investments in Nicaragua have broadened my scope of learning to unlimited places. I know more about myself, and have acquired a wealth of knowledge about topics I never dreamed of nor did I think I would ever be interested in. Every time Mr. Ortega makes a headline, I am given another opportunity to learn about something new.

I liked the article by Edmundo Jarquin. I wish he had won the election. I wish Eduardo Montealegre had won the election. Either way, I can turn the clock back only as well as I can turn the clock forward. For now I get Mr. Ortega and I still hold firm that his win in the office is the best thing for Nicaragua because once his five years is over he will not be able to run again and the country will finally be able to move forward into a new era well deserved.

Save to del.icio.us : Digg it : Furl : ma.gnolia : Google : Diigo : StumbleUpon

Tags: Coastal Dreams, Daniel Ortega, Edmundo Jarquin, politics