Nicaragua

"For the first time in Nicaragua, power was transferred peacefully from the incumbent to a rival after a free and fair election. And for the first time in the world, a revolutionary regime that came to power through armed struggle turned over control of the government to its adversaries as a result of voters' choice. The elections in Nicaragua were truly a historic moment for democracy." - President Jimmy Carter, writing after having observed Nicaragua's 1990 presidential elections.

Waging Peace

The people of Nicaragua have been struggling to consolidate democracy in the nation after years of rule by dictators. The Carter Center, invited by the Nicaraguan government, has observed elections in the country since 1989 to promote free and fair elections. In 1990, Nicaragua experienced the nation's first peaceful transference of government, building hope for a future in which the voice and will of the people no longer would be ignored.

Read full text on the Carter Center's peace work in Nicaragua >