Nicaragua: Trivelli: Populist Governments Always Fail......

[Judi Lynn]

Trivelli: Populist Governments Always Fail
U.S. ambassador issues strong remarks in farewell address

By Tim Rogers
Nica Times Staff | [e-mail]

MANAGUA, NICARAGUA – Saving his strongest words for last, departing U.S. Ambassador Paul Trivelli delivered a farewell address to business leaders this week in which he warned against the “populist” direction of the Sandinista government, and encouraged people to defend democracy in Nicaragua.

“We share the concerns of many members of civil society that the democratic spaces in this country are being reduced,” Trivelli told reporters following his July 21 departing address to the Nicaraguan-American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM).

Trivelli issued a clear warning about the threat of populist government policies, and said the Nicaraguan government has shown a “dangerous” attitude when it comes to receiving criticism.

Without naming names, Trivelli said he is troubled by the attitude of some “members of the political class” who act as if they are above criticism and dismiss everyone who questions them as lacking in “moral authority.” President Daniel Ortega has argued on numerous occasions that both the right-wing opposition in Nicaragua and the U.S. government lack the “moral authority” to criticize him and others.

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