PLC MUNICIPAL OFFICALS FRUSTRATED WITH PARTY

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 002062 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2026 TAGS: KDEM NU PGOV PINR PREL SUBJECT: PLC MUNICIPAL OFFICALS FRUSTRATED WITH PARTY MANAGEMENT Classified By: Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli. Reasons 1.4 (B,D). 1.(C) Summary: In a recent meeting with the Ambassador and polcouns, a group of mayors and vice mayors from the Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC) expressed their frustration with Arnoldo Aleman's continued dominance of their party and the current division of the center right. The local politicians complained of poor treatment at the hands of Aleman and his advisers, noting that those who step out of line or challenge Aleman are being threatened and persecuted. To some, the PLC's use of heavyhanded tactics has caused them to lose respect for the PLC leadership. The Ambassador supported their willingness to risk losing the support of their party to defend democracy, and suggested that those who feel personally threatened should file complaints with Nicaragua's Permanent Human Rights Commission (CPDH). The politicians differed over how to work within the PLC to reduce Aleman's influence -- some advocating for a complete break with the party and all-out support for Eduardo Montealegre, others still holding out hope that the PLC is salvageable. End Summary. Mayors Offer Gloom and Doom Forecast for Ortega Presidency - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (C) During a 13 September meeting, a group of PLC mayors and deputy mayors discussed their concerns about a potential victory by Daniel Ortega in November's election, and deliberated the possibilities of uniting the center right parties. The politicians were unanimous in their frustration with Ortega's top-ranking poll position and complained that the determination of the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN) and PLC to field opposing candidates accords Ortega the opportunity to outpace his competitors. They noted that Ortega, on the other hand, has largely remained free of public entanglements with opponents, presents a consistent and coherent message, and enjoys the backing of highly disciplined supporters. The officials agreed that they are more concerned about Ortega's chances in this election than in previous ones because this is the most divided his opponents have been. One mayor criticized the Right for not doing enough to highlight the negative effects of the Sandinista government of the 1980s, and said that young people were generally unaware of FSLN misdeeds during that time. They stated that, if victorious, Ortega would take steps to solidify his political position, including by further manipulating the electoral code in his favor. ¶3. (C) The mayors also cited several problems with the ALN and Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS). Several among the group noted that the ALN is struggling to make inroads in some areas because the inclusion of the Conservatives in Eduadro Montealegre's alliance alienates many due to longstanding resentment toward that party. They noted that while the MRS ostensibly provides voters with a leftist alternative, in reality the party is only weakly represented throughout the country. Upset With PLC Leadership. . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. (C) The officials complained about Aleman's continued dominance over the PLC and generally agreed that his continued association with the party hurts its image. Many of those present voiced their discontent with the way that they have been treated by Aleman and other party leaders. They noted that PLC members who step out of line or challenge Aleman are persecuted. One politician explained how the PLC often imposes additional bureaucratic obstacles to make life more difficult for those deemed insufficiently loyal; others suspect some of their Alemanista subordinates of acting as snitches. Several of the politicians commented that they received only minimal financial support from the party and at times have had to leverage their own resources to fund their campaigns. One mayor noted that during one campaign he had to mortgage his mother's house and the PLC never repaid him for his expenses. These heavyhanded tactics have soured their perceptions of PLC leadership. The Ambassador suggested that those who felt personally threatened file complaints with the CPDH. . . . But Divided Over Solutions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. (C) Although nearly unanimous in their opposition to Aleman and frustration over the ALN-PLC division, the officials differed in how best to overcome these obstacles. Some among the group advocated a break with the party and all-out support for Eduardo Montealegre. Others, however, favored redoubling efforts to change the party from within. Most of the politicians saw unification of the ALN and PLC as the best way to reduce Aleman's power and defeat Ortega in the elections. Nevertheless, none of the officials proposed a detailed vision of what a unified center-right might look like (i.e. under Rizo or Montealegre). Some appeared to assume that the PLC will remain the flagship of the Right. While the Ambassador warned that a PLC still affiliated with Aleman is undemocratic, members of the group hesitated to challenge the caudillo. Some claimed that the absence of Aleman and his family members from recent rallies and other functions already shows his willingness to diminish his presence. One official made the dubious claim that a united front between Rizo, Jose Antonio Alvarado, and Montealegre would increase the odds of dealing with Aleman after the election, as all three have previously challenged the caudillo. (Comment: Throughout his political career, Aleman has deftly played people against each other. Aleman would stand a good chance of political survival by doing this with the members of any alliance that did not first agree to marginalize him. End comment.) Rizo Cannot Tackle Aleman - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶6. (C) In the absence of a strong and clearly defined proposal to clean out the PLC ahead of the elections, the Ambassador made a clear case for taking such steps earlier rather than later. He drove home the point of the continued existence of the pact between the PLC and FSLN by pointing out that Aleman has recently praised the FSLN mayor of Managua and that Aleman's godfather is Ortega's running mate. The Ambassador also pointed out that the choice of Rizo as a candidate demonstrates Aleman's continued grip on power. Rizo has been unable to deliver on his promises to marginalize Aleman, which raises questions of his committment and/or ability to clean up the party. In addition, Rizo is politically weak. Poll after poll shows that he remains a significant distance behind Montealegre, and some polls even show that he may be hardpressed to defeat Ortega in the event of a second round between the two of them. The Ambassador underlined that a race between Rizo and Ortega does not offer voters a democratic option, but is rather "a choice between mafiosos." Keep Up the Good Fight - - - - - - - - - - - ¶7. (C) The politicians concluded the meeting by reaffirming their committment to pushing for a freer PLC and sought clarification on what the Embassy could to to support them. Citing their tough political situations, several sought help with visa assistance, while others expressed interest in receiving financial aid to assist with campaign and organizational expenses. The Ambassador praised the officials for their steadfastness to their cause, reassuring them that their actions are important for promoting healthier democracy in Nicaragua. He redirected visa inquiries to the consular section, and promised that the Embassy will continue to strongly support the mayors' efforts to clean the PLC of its corrupt elements. He also promised to explore the possibility of providing limited monetary support for small projects in specific municipalities. ¶8. (C) Comment: The mayors' committment to clean up the PLC's act is commendable, but the movement appears limited by its size and lack of focus. The mayors indicated that they had formed an association called Alcaldes Patrioticos (Patriotic Mayors),but one noted that the body had only 16 members of which only a few are willing to take a more active role. They are further constrained by a lack of an overarching agreement over whether it is best to leave the PLC or reform it from within. Many seem hesitant to break with the party -- one mayor was late in arriving for the meeting as he had first decided to stop by PLC headquarters. The mayors have requested a follow up meeting with the Ambassador to include additional politicians who are dissaffected with Aleman's control of the party. End Comment. TRIVELLI