Is there anything fouler than Daniel Ortega?

The former Nicaraguan strongman, dubbed by the great Ronald Reagan as “the little dictator,” is poised to seize power again in Nicaragua next November. Unlike the last time, when he shot his way into power, this time he’s trying to seize power via what may be a rigged election.

The Sandinistas brought war and hordes of Sandalistas to Nicaragua during their decade-long illegitimate rule. They stole everything in sight, and confiscated people’s houses, even shanty-like houses of very poor people, such was their voracity. To this day, Daniel Ortega lives in a stolen house he ripped off unearned from someone else. The Sandinistas tortured people, they starved people, they forced the Miskito Indians on a Mao-style Long March, killing many, and they pioneered ‘literacy programs’ which were nothing more than Pol-Pot style reeducation camps. Pol Pot was another of their great heroes.

Although detested, they never really relinquished power in Nicaragua when democratic elections were finally held in February 1990 and Nicaragua’s beleaguered voters voted to throw them out. They retained control of the courts, and the electoral body. As a result, Nicaragua (so full of lovely people!) is terribly, horribly poor. And this time, Ortega and his Sandinistas will probably follow the example of their stated hero, Hugo Chavez, and cheat their way into power. Shooting was the Castro way. Cheating is the Chavez way. Ortega assures Fox News, in a reprinted interview on Petroleumworld, that he is a big fan of both.

Everything else the mirrored-sunglass-loving ex-dictator says is revolting, too. Read it here.

As an antidote, buy some poison-clearing, delicious Contra Cafe in Ortega’s honor.