Honorable Senators/Representatives

In November 2006, 38 percent of the Nicaraguan electorate voted for a leader who claimed to have changed his ways. However, since Ortega’s election, Nicaragua has strengthened its relationship with Iran, dismantled democratic institutions, imposed party controlled neighborhood committees that will lead to clientelism, canceled elections in the Atlantic coast, and intends to change the constitution to solidify his power for longer than currently allowed.

The U.S. has pledged 175 million dollars for five years since 2005 through the Millennium Challenge Corporation with the condition that Nicaragua fight corruption and strengthen its democracy: Areas that the current Nicaraguan administration is running to the ground.

Understandably, foreign policy and engagement is meant to set its sight for the long-term and have the recipients of the aid in mind. I trust that you will be analyzing and weighing the merits of providing assistance to an administration that accuses the U.S. government of financing a destabilization campaign in Nicaragua and calls the U.S. imperialists Yankees. If that is Ortega’s rhetoric, how can Americans be sure that the aid reaches the most vulnerable segments in Nicaragua?