Sandinista!

In a Sandinista power play that's being likened to a coup against Nicaragua's institutional democracy, high court magistrates loyal to President Daniel Ortega ruled Monday evening against a constitutional ban that prohibits consecutive reelection. The decision by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, according to Sandinista magistrates, clears the way for Ortega to seek reelection in 2011.

The high court's ruling, made in the absence of opposition judges who reportedly were not convoked for the court session, is being called a brazen assault on Nicaragua's rule of law, and a dangerous step closer to an Ortega dictatorship.

“They are manipulating the constitution and the state of law in an unthinkable way,” former Supreme Court President Alejandro Serrano told The Nica Times, adding that the Supreme Court does not have the authority to declare the constitution unconstitutional.

Nica Times

Como recordarán, Ortega, otro satélite de Chavez, pataleaba contra la destitución de Mel en Honduras... le llegará su turno ahora?