Ortega: US Finances Nica Opposition

Managua, Jul 22 (Prensa Latina) Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega charged the US government of colluding with local conservatives and funding anti-Sandinista political and media drive.

They finance and guide groups that claim to represent the Nicaraguan people, said Ortega speaking to Latin American progressive leaders from the Forum of Sao Paulo meeting in this capital.

Ortega said US diplomats in Managua are holding secret meetings with government opponents whom he calls puppets. They are told to act against two of the government-led plans, Consejos del Poder Ciudadano and Zero Hunger Program.

The statesman says those campaigns, that also involve some local media, are aimed at confusing the people and undermining government programs.

Ortega reminded to representatives of 19 political organizations from 13 Latin American countries that the US organized the 2002 failed coup against President Hugo Chavez.

The Nicaraguan president warned the audience not to be overconfident because "they -the US government- are permanently conspiring."