MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Nicaragua, the next “hot spot” for OAS

The Organization of American States, OAS, Secretary General, Jose Miguel Insulza warned this week that a “serious political crisis” is brewing in Nicaragua, Central America, and called on member countries to continue working in helping solve the challenging situation.

Mr. Insulza presented a report to the OAS Standing Council on the Nicaraguan situation where last week he headed a delegation that met with president Enrique Bolaños, opposition groups, Supreme Court, the Supreme Electoral Council, Catholic Church and other influential organizations.

"In spite of the seriousness of events in the last weeks, there's an even deeper and more complex problem behind, which if not successfully addressed could lead to a dangerous governance situation for the democratic system in Nicaragua", said Mr. Insulza.

"There's confrontation among government branches besides an aligning process inside those branches because of the nomination process which makes it extremely difficult to find common ground", added the former Chilean Minister of Interior.

However Mr. Insulza said the Nicaraguan people want "democratic institutions and governance to consolidate and an agreement on a minimum national agenda".

Current President Bolaños has virtually no Congressional support and is under pressure from the liberal (conservative) and Sandinistas (left wing) who have managed to paralyze his administration. National elections are scheduled for November 2006.

"That is why it's urgent for OAS and its members to keep a pro active approach" to the looming political situation.

Nicaragua was also seen as the first serious test for Mr. Insulza who last May was elected and confirmed as OAS Secretary General following a strong controversy among hopeful candidates and their supporting countries which almost divided the organization.

Mr. Insulza in spite of his current post is virtually barred from intervening in the Bolivian political conflict because he's Chilean, and both countries have a long acrimonious pending border conflict.