Daniel Ortega: Still popular after all these years

According to Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2017, Nicaragua experienced another setback for democracy last year.

The likeminded regime of President Daniel Ortega brought Nicaragua to its lowest point in more than 20 years. Having stacked the judiciary in his favor and whittled away the independent media, Ortega was able to nearly eliminate the opposition in presidential and legislative elections. With Venezuela, Nicaragua is one of the few countries in the Americas on an extended downward trajectory.

Regardless, the Nicaraguan people continue to support Daniel Ortega. In a recent survey, M&R Consultants found that 74% of Nicaraguan families (individuals polled?) view Ortega (74.1) and First Lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo (73.7) favorably.

Seventy-five percent believe that the country has made progress over the last six years.

While individual liberties and civil rights, as traditionally measured, have weakened, 84% of Nicaraguans support the alternative "system of dialogue, alliances and consensus boosted by the Government, with the private sector and workers."

The complete Freedom in the World 2017 reports are not yet available but an overview of Nicaragua's anticipated report can be found here.

The election of Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega in 2006 began a period of democratic deterioration in Nicaragua that continues today. President Ortega has consolidated all branches of government under his party’s control, limited fundamental freedoms, and allowed unchecked corruption to pervade the government. In 2014, the National Assembly approved constitutional amendments that paved the way for Ortega to win a third consecutive term in November 2016.