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NICARAGUA: GOVERNING PARTY SPLITS INTO TWO FACTIONS OVER ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHT.

Article Excerpt
Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos' anti-corruption battle against the administration of former President Arnoldo Aleman (1997-2002) has split the governing Partido Liberal Constitucionalista (PLC) into two factions. Bolanos demands that Aleman renounce parliamentary immunity to face corruption charges. Aleman, the head of the country's National Assembly, refuses to give up parliamentary immunity and threatens to isolate Bolanos from his party. Bolanos has much higher levels of popular support, but Aleman retains the allegiance of most PLC legislators.

Aleman is believed to have stolen millions

Assistant Attorney General Francisco Fiallos has pointed out that accusations of corruption during the Aleman administration were so extensive that investigating them has become "overwhelming."

Alleged acts of corruption by the Aleman administration include dipping into government coffers, buying luxury cars for family and co-workers, using government credit cards to buy US$1.8 million worth of gifts for "international personalities," and countless other suspected indiscretions (see NotiCen, 2002-05-09).

Manuel Ignacio Lacayo, one of the wealthiest business owners in Nicaragua, shocked the nation in 1998 when he denounced...

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