ORTEGA IN CUBA, REAFFIRMING SOLIDARITY AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 001780 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2016 TAGS: EAID KDEM NU PGOV PINR PREL SUBJECT: ORTEGA IN CUBA, REAFFIRMING SOLIDARITY AND COOPERATION REF: HAVANA 15750 Classified By: Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli. Reasons 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (C) FSLN Presidential candidate Daniel Ortega traveled to Cuba last week to express his "concern and solidarity" for Fidel Castro and "reaffirm cooperative efforts" with the Government of Cuba. Though it appears that Ortega did not actually meet with Castro (reftel),he used the opportunity to promote programs to benefit Nicaraguans and to campaign -- making frequent announcements from Cuba on 'Radio Ya,' a Sandinista-owned station managed by Ortega's son. ¶2. (C) Ortega has made plain in his public announcements that if he wins in November, he plans to reestablish the cooperative relationship and collective programs that Nicaragua enjoyed with the Cuban government in the 1980,s. Specifically discussed with Cuban officials were medical treatment, medical training, and scholarships for Nicaraguans. Ortega has also told the international press that Castro is active and making government decisions. ¶3. (SBU) FSLN founder and National Assembly Deputy Tomas Borge echoed Ortega's sentiments in an open letter to Fidel that was published in local newspapers over the weekend. He mentions several supporters of Castro and their continuing concern for his health. Borge writes that he will not celebrate his own birthday -- coincidentally the same as Castro's -- but instead attend the masses organized by thousands of Nicaraguans to pray for Castro's recovery. Borges' paean ends with the statement that Castro is beloved by millions and that his ideas will endure for centuries. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: While the other political parties have largely been quiet about Castro's illness, Ortega is attempting to use the situation to his advantage to proclaim his solidarity with Castro, emphasize his revolutionary heritage, and criticize the United States for interventionism. END COMMENT TRIVELLI