U.S. cables leaked on WikiLeaks reveal Venezuela-Nicaragua tensions, blackmail

[Bacchus39]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/09/1964696/us-suspicions-highlighted.html


BY JIM WYSS

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In a fresh batch of diplomatic communiqués published this week by WikiLeaks, U.S. diplomats describe how Nicaraguan officials toted suitcases of cash from Venezuela as part of an off-the-books aid effort that also was used to finance municipal campaigns.

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In a memo from Feb. 25, 2010, titled ``Ortega and the U.S.: New-Found True Love Or Another Still-Born Charm Offensive,'' U.S. Ambassador Robert Callahan speculated that Ortega's sudden responsiveness to embassy requests came amid financial duress. Attempts to recruit Iran and Russia as financial backers fell flat and there were signs Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez was tired of forking over cash.

There are ``indications that the Ortega-Chávez revolutionary partnership may be suffering a cold snap,'' the cable reads. ``Over three years, Chávez has supplied Ortega with nearly a billion dollars in badly-needed `assistance,' but Ortega's constant need for operating cash to offset forfeited donor assistance is likely now wearisome for Chávez who faces growing domestic difficulties.''

Ortega was said to be stung when Chávez and Cuban President Raúl Castro failed to appear at the 30th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution and a military ceremony. Referring to Ortega as Chávez's ``Mini-Me,'' the embassy concedes that their partnership is ``not in imminent danger of collapse.''