Hello, this is a formal request for a Nicaragua struggle session.
I have seen some support Ortega, I have seen some say he's become more of a neoliberal. Many former FSLN leaders have criticized him. There are also the ongoing protests.
I am not familiar with Nicaraguan politics too much, so I am hoping people can help me to understand the situation there.
There was a violent coup attempt in 2018 disguised in the west as "protests" where Sandanistas were murdered. The Grayzone people have talked about it, but I'm not sure of the exact Moderate Rebels episode or whatever. They probably just can't accomplish as much as they'd like to, with the usual western sabotage attempts. I wouldn't take some other socialist groups for granted if they say that the Sandanistas are bad now or something. Look at where the actual socialist organizing is happening. There are still mass organizations tied to the party there, which the US would like to crush just as they've done elsewhere.
the From Below Podcast did a two part series on Nicaragua where they interviewed some Nicaraguans who have ties to the Sandinistas:
https://frombelowpodcast.com/2019/12/18/rebellion-in-nicaragua/
It's been a while since I listened to it so I don't remember the details, but it is an anarchist podcast so as you can imagine it is pretty critical of Ortega and the FSLN overall. From what I can remember, Ortega has been pretty shitty on women's rights issues.
Honestly, I don't know enough about current Nicaraguan politics to help. Hopefully someone here does!