Nicaragua's Ortega returning to power

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Daniel Ortega, the man confirmed Tuesday as the winner of Nicaragua's presidential election, decided a few months back to return an antique oak table to an old enemy: banker Jamie Morales Carazo.

In the 1980s, Ortega had expropriated Morales' mansion and furniture in the name of the Sandinista revolution, and for years, he and his comrades used it in strategy meetings during the war against the contras.

Once a leader with the right-wing contra army, Morales was happy to have the table back, even though Ortega kept the mansion.

The story of the table illustrates the unusual alliances and personal transformations that define the new Nicaragua, a country which this week returned Ortega to power after 16 years in the political wilderness. Ortega's victory, confirmed Tuesday by election officials, also made Morales the country's next vice president.

"In business and in politics, I never trust anyone who hasn't suffered a serious setback," Morales said, explaining why he decided to bury old animosities and join the Ortega ticket. "Daniel Ortega has suffered many defeats. He's recognized them and I think he's learned from them."

Ortega's decision to invite an old contra to join his ticket for Sunday's presidential election was one of several savvy — and some say, cynical — political moves that helped bring Ortega victory after losing presidential elections in 1990, 1996 and 2001.

According to nearly complete official results released Tuesday, Ortega defeated his nearest challenger in a five-candidate field, conservative Eduardo Montealegre, by 38 percent to 29 percent. Montealegre conceded defeat.

Some believe Ortega has fashioned himself into a traditional Latin American strongman who rules not based on ideology but for power itself.

Others see in Ortega an older and wiser politician who might make a better ruler than the firebrand who helped lead guerrillas and radical poets and priests to power in 1979.

Former President Carter said he was heartened that Ortega had held off from declaring victory in the race even as two days of excruciatingly slow vote counts indicated he had won.

When Ortega was voted out of office in 1990, it was Carter who persuaded Ortega to concede the election.

A generation later, Ortega is making promises to respect private property and free enterprise. He has kissed the hand of a Roman Catholic archbishop and come out for tough anti-abortion laws.