Lessons of losing power: the case of Nicaragua

Since winning the elections in February last year, the US-sponsored UNO coalition has tried to roll back the gains of the eleven-year old Sandinista revolution, but has met with fierce resistance from organised workers and peasants. Alejandro Bendana, the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) Secretary for Foreign Affairs, visited South Africa, late last year, and spoke to Devan Pillay about the current situation in Nicaragua, in particular the extensive self-criticism the Sandinista’s have been engaging in since losing the election.