Nicaragua The Odd Couple Plays Managua

In the first free (more or less) elections in years, Ortega and Chamorro offer themselves to the people, but not much else

Daniel Ortega Saavedra hit the road at 5 a.m., bound for the northwestern city of Ocotal, where several thousand supporters awaited him. The same day, Violeta Barrios de Chamorro met in her airy Managua home with advisers of her National Opposition Union (U.N.O.), then received a courtesy call from Joao Baena Soares, secretary-general of the Organization of American States. Next door, Chamorro's aides frantically tried to add more appearances to her schedule, despite doctors' orders not to tax her limited stamina.

With the election set for Sunday, the two candidates for the presidency of Nicaragua continue to campaign against type. Ortega,...

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