Presidential Candidate Accused Of Corruption

Nicaraguan presidential candidate, right-wing former finance minister Eduardo Montealegre, may face corruption charges after a parliamentary committee called for him to be investigated along with other former, and current, government members. The allegations are in connection with Nicaragua’s bond issuance scandal, known as the CENIS crisis, which took place during the presidency of Arnoldo Alemán. The $500 million debt led to the bankruptcy of four private banks in the country. Montealegre, the candidate of the Alianza Liberal Nicaragüense (ALN) party and reportedly the postulant favored by the US, is currently lagging behind former president and Sandanista leader Daniel Ortega in the polls ahead of the November 5 elections. Montealegre and incumbent president Bolaños, who has been billed as an anti-corruption crusader, have accused the committee of political maneuvering on behalf of their opponents.