The story of Daniel Ortega, the President of Nicaragua who made his wife his Vice President

2024-01-11 08:18:34

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Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega (left) and Vice President Rosario Murillo. They are a husband and wife duo who lead the country. Photo/REUTERS

JAKARTA – Daniel Ortega is the long-serving President of Nicaragua. Uniquely, the vice president (wapres) is his own wife; Rosario Murillo.

How could this couple become leaders of a country? Here’s the story.

Ortega comes from an ordinary working class family. As a teenager, he joined the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), a movement that opposed the dictatorial regime of Anastasio Somoza.

As time went by, Ortega began to be known as a leader of the guerrilla struggle. After going through a tough road, including detention and torture from the ruling regime, the Sandinista group succeeded in taking power in 1979.

Collect CBS News, Ortega was chosen as President Somoza’s replacement during the transition period. He then served as president in 1984.

At that time, Nicaragua’s situation was not yet stable. That makes Ortega’s government less than optimal. Evidently, he lost to Violeta Chamorro in the next presidential election in 1990.

Ortega’s image worsened following internal divisions within the Sandinista group. As a result, he again lost the 1995 and 2001 presidential elections.

Despite losing repeatedly, Ortega got back up. In 2006, he began making changes, including moving away from his communist roots.

Ortega was elected President of Nicaragua in 2007. In his second time as leader, Ortega learned from the past, especially regarding how to secure his power in the future.