On Nov. 6, a graduate of Saint Louis University became the president of Nicaragua. Enrique Bolanos, class of 1962, defeated Daniel Ortega, who has now lost the last three elections, by a margin of 10 percent.
In his victory speech, Bolanos, 73, declared, “Nicaragua is the winner!”
The election was highly controversial due to the fact that many believed that Ortega’s views conflicted with those of the United States and that this could harm the nation during this time of international crisis. People stood outside polling places for up to seven hours, leaving some open until 11 p.m., five hours later than the expected closing time.
“Yesterday we made long lines and stood in the sun and rain to show our commitment to the country,” said Bolanos after being declared the victor.
This victory came after Bolanos’ long struggle with the Sandinista government that Ortega ruled from 1979 to 1990, when pressure from the United States and Latin American countries pushed Nicaragua into free elections. The Marxist Sandinistas, who achieved power in 1979, confiscated many of Bolanos’ businesses, cotton fields and coffee plantations. Much of this property that was taken not only from Bolanos, but others as well, is still being returned.
“I want to clear up all the denunciations of corruption of past governments,” said Bolanos in an interview at his home the night of the election. “It’s a difficult task, and I do intend to clear up many of them.”
Prior to the election, Bolanos was a businessman who ran a computer consulting firm and several other businesses. His background in business follows suit with Mexico’s election that recently elected ex-Coca-Cola executive Vincente Fox in 2000. The election of businessmen is becoming a trend in Latin America as the culture moves away from the leftist past of authoritarian dictators who claimed to stay true to the “liberal” ideas of the revolutions that placed them in power.
Bolanos ran on the image of a hard-working, honest family man with no violent past. His opponent, Ortega, claimed that the election was indirectly fixed. “Our political adversaries took advantage of the tragedy of Sept. 11 and the message of certain U.S. officials to make a campaign of fear,” said Ortega after his third loss in a presidential election. This had people chanting in the streets “One, two, three strikes you’re out!” as they celebrated.
In a report by the BBC, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher congratulated Bolanos on his victory.
“We are confident that Mr. Bolanos’ lifelong commitment to democracy, his integrity and courage as well as his extensive experience as a businessman will help Nicaragua address the serious challenges that lie ahead,” he said.
“The University is excited to see its alumnus reach such a prominent position on the international stage,” said Clayton Berry, public relations specialist.
This is the first time that a graduate from the University has become the head of state for any nation.
