Daniel Ortega facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Ortega and the second or maternal family name is Saavedra.

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Daniel Ortega
Ortega in 2017

54th & 58th President of Nicaragua
Incumbent
Assumed office 10 January 2007
Vice President	Jaime Morales Carazo (2007–2012) Omar Halleslevens (2012–2017) Rosario Murillo (2017–present)
Preceded by	Enrique Bolaños
In office 10 January 1985 – 25 April 1990
Vice President	Sergio Ramírez
Preceded by	Himself (as Coordinator of the JNR)
Succeeded by	Violeta Chamorro
Coordinator of the Junta of National Reconstruction
In office 18 July 1979 – 10 January 1985
Preceded by	Francisco Urcuyo (as Acting President)
Succeeded by	Himself (as President)

Personal details
Born	José Daniel Ortega Saavedra (1945-11-11) 11 November 1945 (age 79) La Libertad, Chontales, Nicaragua
Political party	FSLN
Spouse	Rosario Murillo (m. 1979)
Children	8, 7 with Rosario Murillo and 1 with Leticia Herrera
Relatives	Humberto Ortega (brother) Camilo Ortega (brother) Xiomara Blandino (daughter-in-law)
Awards	Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Nicaragua
Branch/service	FSLN Nicaraguan Army
Years of service	1963–1990 2007–present
Rank	Major Commander-in-chief
Battles/wars	Nicaraguan Revolution

José Daniel Ortega Saavedra (born 11 November 1945) is a politician from Nicaragua. He has been the president of Nicaragua since 2007. Before that, he led Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990. He was first the Coordinator of the Junta of National Reconstruction and then the president.

Ortega became well-known during the Nicaraguan Revolution in 1979. This revolution removed the US-backed leader Anastasio Somoza Debayle. Ortega was a key leader in the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN). During his first time in power, he focused on changes like taking control of industries, sharing land, and starting programs to teach people to read.

In 1984, Ortega won Nicaragua's first free presidential election. His government faced a group of rebels called the Contras, who were supported by the United States. The US also put economic pressure on Nicaragua. After a time of conflict and economic problems, Ortega lost the 1990 election. He tried to become president again in 1996 and 2001 but did not win.

In 2006, Ortega won the election and became president again. His government has faced criticism, especially after protests in 2018. Many people have left Nicaragua because of these issues. In 2021, his government arrested several people who might have run against him in the election. After he was re-elected in 2021, the United States banned him and his officials from entering the country.

Early Life and Family

Daniel Ortega was born in La Libertad, Chontales, Nicaragua. His family was working-class. His parents, Daniel Ortega Cerda and Lidia Saavedra, were against the government of Anastasio Somoza Debayle. His mother was even put in prison for having what police thought were secret political messages.

Ortega and his two brothers became involved in revolutionary activities. His brother Humberto Ortega became a military leader. His other brother, Camilo Ortega, died fighting the Somoza government. The family moved to Managua, where Ortega went to high school. His father taught his sons to dislike US military involvement in Nicaragua.

Sandinista Revolution and First Presidency (1979–1990)

When the FSLN took power in July 1979, Ortega became part of a five-person group called the Junta of National Reconstruction. This group included other important figures like writer Sergio Ramírez. In 1981, Ortega became the main leader of this group.

The FSLN government started many social programs. They gave land to about 100,000 families. They also launched a huge program to teach people to read and write. This program helped many people learn to read. Health care also improved, with vaccination campaigns and new hospitals. The World Health Organization even called Nicaragua a model for health care.

However, Ortega's government also faced challenges. Many indigenous people were forced to move from their homes. Thousands of them went to Honduras for safety. Some indigenous groups formed rebel groups to fight the government.

In 1981, the United States, led by President Ronald Reagan, accused the FSLN of helping other revolutionary groups. The US then started to support the Contras, who were rebels fighting against Ortega's government. This conflict, known as the Contra War, caused many deaths in Nicaragua.

Ortega (far right) with Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González, Cuban President Fidel Castro and Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Alfonso Guerra in Madrid, 1984

In the 1984 Nicaraguan general election, Ortega won the presidency with 67% of the votes. He took office in January 1985. International observers said this election was fair. However, the Reagan administration in the US called it a "sham" and continued to support the Contras.

Peace talks began in 1987, leading to the Central American Peace Accords. This agreement helped to end the conflict. The Contras started to disarm in 1989.

In Opposition (1990–2007)

In the 1990 presidential election, Ortega lost to Violeta Barrios de Chamorro. She was supported by the US and a group of parties called the National Opposition Union. Chamorro promised to end the Contra War if she won. Many people believe Nicaraguans voted for her to end the war and improve the economy.

After his loss, Ortega said the FSLN would continue to have power "from below." This meant they would still influence different parts of society. The election loss caused disagreements within the FSLN. Some members wanted the party to become more modern. Ortega and others wanted to stick to their original revolutionary ideas.

Ortega ran for president again in 1996 and 2001 but lost both times. During this time, he changed some of his political views. He became more open to democratic socialism and showed more of his Roman Catholic faith. He even renewed his marriage vows in a Catholic ceremony before the 2006 election.

Ortega also helped create an agreement between the FSLN and another major party. This agreement, known as "El Pacto," allowed the two parties to control important government groups. One key part of this agreement made it easier to win a presidential election in the first round, which helped Ortega in the 2006 election.

2001 Presidential Election

In the 2001 election, Ortega lost to Enrique Bolaños. Ortega's campaign used religious ideas and spoke about a "Promised Land" for Nicaragua. The US was against Ortega becoming president. After the September 11, 2001, attacks in the US, many Nicaraguans worried that an anti-US leader like Ortega would put their country in danger. Bolaños won with 56.3% of the vote.

2006 Presidential Election

In 2006, Daniel Ortega was elected president with 38% of the vote. He chose a former Contra leader, Jaime Morales Carazo, as his running mate. The FSLN also won the most seats in the parliament.

Second Presidency (2007–Present)

Presidential styles of Daniel Ortega

Reference style	Daniel Ortega, Presidente de la República de Nicaragua Daniel Ortega, President of the Republic of Nicaragua
Spoken style	Presidente Ortega President Ortega
Alternative style	Señor Presidente Mister President

During his second time as president, Ortega gained strong control over the government. Many journalists and governments have criticized him for this.

2008 Elections and Changes

In 2008, the Supreme Electoral Council faced criticism for problems in local elections. They did not allow international observers to watch the election. Official results showed Ortega's party winning most mayoral positions. However, the opposition claimed there were many issues, like altered vote counts. Because of these problems, the European Union and the US stopped some aid to Nicaragua.

Ortega also worked to change the constitution to allow him to run for president again. In 2009, the Supreme Court of Justice made a decision that allowed him to run in 2011. This decision was criticized by many groups.

2011 and 2016 Elections

Ortega was re-elected president in 2011. The Supreme Electoral Council did not allow observers at many polling stations. According to official results, Ortega won with 63% of the vote.

Ortega in 2013

In 2014, the National Assembly changed the constitution. These changes removed limits on how many times a president could run for office. This meant Ortega could run for an unlimited number of five-year terms. The changes also gave Ortega the power to choose military and police leaders.

In 2016, Ortega chose his wife, Rosario Murillo, to be his vice-presidential running mate. The main opposition party was not allowed to take part in the election. International observers were also not allowed. Ortega and Murillo won with 72.4% of the vote. Many people believe Ortega was popular because Nicaragua's economy was growing and there was less violence compared to nearby countries.

2018–2022 Nicaraguan Protests

In April 2018, student protests began over changes to social security benefits. These protests grew, and the government took strong actions against them. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets, and later live ammunition. Many students were killed. Even though the social security changes were stopped, the protests continued, with people demanding Ortega's resignation.

On Mother's Day in 2018, over 300,000 people marched to honor the mothers of students who had died. Even though the march was peaceful, people were attacked. Many were killed and injured. Human rights groups have called for other countries to put sanctions on Ortega and his officials because of these events.

Foreign Policy and Alliances

Ortega with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Russia on 18 December 2008

After his 2006 election, Ortega visited Iran and met with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He said the revolutions in Iran and Nicaragua were similar because they were about justice and fighting against powerful countries.

Nicaragua also joined the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas, a group of Latin American countries that work together. Ortega has also supported Russia's position on South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Ortega with the president of the Republic of China Tsai Ing-wen, 10 January 2017

Nicaragua used to have diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan). In 2021, Nicaragua changed its recognition to the People's Republic of China (Mainland China).

Environmental Policy

In 2016, Daniel Ortega initially did not sign the Paris Agreement on climate change. He felt the agreement did not do enough to protect the climate. However, he later changed his mind and signed it. Nicaragua has also increased its use of renewable energy.

International Sanctions

United States

In November 2021, the United States passed a law called the "RENACER Act." This law increased US sanctions against Nicaragua. It also gave the US president the power to remove Nicaragua from a trade agreement and block international loans.

Ukraine

In February 2021, Ukraine's parliament approved economic sanctions against Ortega and his government. This was because Ortega sent a group to Crimea, a region claimed by both Ukraine and Russia.

Electoral History

1984 General Election

1984 Nicaraguan general election

1990 General Election

1990 Nicaraguan general election

1996 General Election

1996 Nicaraguan general election

2001 General Election

2001 Nicaraguan general election

2006 General Election

2006 Nicaraguan general election

2011 General Election

2011 Nicaraguan general election

2016 General Election

2016 Nicaraguan general election

2021 General Election

2021 Nicaraguan general election

Challenges and Concerns

Ortega's second time as president has faced many challenges. The protests that started in 2018 show these tensions. Some people have accused his government of limiting freedoms.

Before the 2021 election, Ortega's government arrested many opposition leaders. An ambassador from Nicaragua, Arturo McFields, spoke out against the government and asked for political prisoners to be released. He said people were "tired of dictatorship."

A lawyer who used to work for Nicaragua, Paul Reichler, also left his position. He said he felt Ortega was no longer the person he respected. He was concerned about the government's actions against peaceful protests and the imprisonment of former colleagues.

The Ortega government also closed some organizations, like the Nicaraguan Language Academy.