In response to an escalating internal purge within Nicaragua’s ruling elite, officials have detained Bayardo Arce, a senior Sandinist figure and long-time economic adviser to President Daniel Ortega.
Arce, 76, was detained early on Thursday morning following a man-hours home invasion by dozens of police officers. According to reports, he had been placed under house arrest since Sunday.
The Ortega government-controlled Attorney General’s Office announced on Wednesday that it was conducting an investigation into Arce’s alleged involvement in “illegal transactions and negotiations” involving allegedly state-related properties and businesses. Arce is alleged to have refused to cooperate or provide documentation when questioned by the prosecution.
According to officials, Ricardo Bonilla, his aide, was detained a day earlier for allegedly refusing to “render accounts.”
According to the Nicaraguan news outlet Confidencial, Arce’s arrest is a part of a larger purge being spearheaded by Ortega’s wife and co-ruler, Vice President Rosario Murillo, with the president’s full support. As Ortega’s health appears to be declining, sources close to the exiled opposition claim Murillo is consolidating control in order to appoint someone to succeed him.
Ortega, 79, has appeared flimsy and unstable in recent public appearances. He is said to have kidney failure and lupus, which raises the possibility of his replacement.
Arce is the third well-known Sandinista veteran to be placed under house arrest this year. Another former commander, Henry Ruiz, was kept in a cell in March. Prior to his death in September of this year, the president’s brother and former army chief had other restrictions.
During the Sandinista revolution in 1979 that overthrew US-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza, Arce and Daniel Ortega remained close friends. Ortega was elected president in 2007 after years of serving and running for office, despite widespread criticism for his undemocratic actions.
Source: Aljazeera
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