Nicaraguan Bishop Warns of Possible Ortega Dictatorship

The prelate asserted that 'the sad reality is that for those in power the constitution is toilet paper'.

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (Zenit.org) - The vice-president of the Nicaraguan bishops' conference is stating that a recent Supreme Court decision could pave the way for President Daniel Ortega to take the role of a dictator.

Bishop Juan Abelardo Mata of Esteli affirmed this after the Supreme Court decided Monday to allow the re-election of the president in 2011, even though he is already serving his second five-year term.

The prelate asserted that "the sad reality is that for those in power the constitution is toilet paper."

The bishop expressed his opinion that "if Ortega is re-elected, dictatorship will be established" and there will be trouble for anyone "who opposes his interests."

He noted, however, that "on a juridical level President Ortega hasn't achieved anything because what they have done is tainted."

On Oct. 15, Ortega moved to declare an article impeding consecutive presidential re-election as unconstitutional.

This article, which limits the president to two consecutive terms, was judged "inapplicable" by the court on Monday.

Politicians and businessmen opposed to Ortega announced Wednesday that they will attempt to obtain the annulment of the court's decision which, according to Ortega, "is already engraved in stone."