Chávez puts food on plates and shady deals in Nicaragua

Over the past four years, entities controlled by the Nicaraguan president, Daniel Ortega, have received at least $1 billion in no- strings-attached donations through an oil deal brokered by President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela.

 

The windfall has helped Ortega mount a vigorous campaign to fight rural poverty and generate electricity -- and to build political support for himself.

 

The money has had a dramatic effect. It's put more food in the bellies of tens of thousands of Nicaraguans. It's also created a web of Ortega- controlled companies with no public oversight.

 

Original story: Miami Herald