The outcome of the recent elections in Argentina, Nicaragua and Guatemala
reflects the end of neoliberal measures and favorable plans in favor of
the people´s well being.

With the reelection of the heads of state of Argentina Cristina Fernandez
and Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega the process for social justice and regional
integration will continue.

Cristina Fernandez´ victory, last October 23rd, marked a milestone not
only because she was confirmed for a second term with 53.7 percent of the
votes, but also because she has become the first president with most votes
in the history of Argentina since 1973 when Juan Domingo Peron obtained
over 60 percent to reach his third period as president.

The strong popular support of the current Argentinean Head of State gives
the country legal guarantees to continue with her policies in favor of the
population.

Cristina Fernandez expressed: “all I want to do is contribute in making
Argentina a great nation”. I want to be a person that has helped change
history with the rest of the Argentinean population.” She also expressed
her intention to continue a project for the 40 million people in her country.

“I want to be the person that will change history similar to what is
happening today in Nicaragua, Central American nation that with its recent
electoral process this last November 6th the population was its main
protagonist.”

The President of the Supreme Electoral Council, Roberto Rivas confirmed
last Monday that 62.6 percent of the valid votes were in favor of the
president and vice president of the Sandinista National Liberation Front,
FSLN, after counting 85 percent of the votes.

The percentage points of the second and third places speak for themselves.

With 30.96 percent in favor of Fabio Gadea and only 6.27 percent for
former president Arnoldo Aleman who was tried and sentenced to 20 years.

Ortega’s victory can be characterized as transcendental. Without a
doubt, the victory confirms the advances achieved in Nicaragua, thanks to
the health assistance, education, food, social plans and an infrastructure
underway in the country.

They also have the solidarity of ALBA member nations.

This time around no one will be able to distract the profound ideals of a
nation like Nicaragua that has been deceived and betrayed so many times,
by the dirty interests of the extreme right in the country and the
dominating and looting aspirations of the powerful neighbor to the north.

Rivas himself in its recent statements indirectly expressed the extreme
right’s desperation when he attempted to inform the press of reported
irregularities in some of the voting sites which were generated by Gadea’s
Party.

Daniel Ortega said: “this victory is an enormous responsibility for the
government which must know how to manage everything in benefit of the
population”.

That was the precise line that exceeded expectations. After the vote
count, the figures surpassed the advantages that the surveys had
previously showed in favor of Ortega.
Extreme right wing US Congressional Representative Ileana Ross-Lethinen
urged Washington not to recognize the victory of Ortega in Nicaragua.

Guatemala also held presidential elections last Sunday. Former retired
general Otto Perez Molina of the Patriotic Party obtained the majority of
the votes 53.74 percent in the second round and led his rival Manuel
Baldizon of the Democratic Renovated Liberty Party.

Although the ghosts of poverty and violence still haunt the country, the
population that visited the voting polls expressed their hope of ending
crime in the Central American nation.

We must point out that the wave of insecurity in the Central American
nation is in good measure due to the economic and social exclusion that
has forced many people, mainly the youth in falling into negative social
conducts because they had no other way out.

Despite some regrettable examples, Latin America is currently considered
as living a new stage in history. The recent presidential elections in
Argentina, Nicaragua and Guatemala ratify the fact that the changes and
progress were to come sooner or later.

Defend democratic elections, consolidate social justice and strengthen
regional integration for the well being of the people is the most
important challenge taken on by the progressive governments in Latin America.