Violeta Chamorro Elected as First Woman President

In the landmark 1990 Nicaraguan general election, Violeta Chamorro made history by becoming the first woman president of Nicaragua. Leading a coalition of anti-Sandinista parties from both the left and right, Chamorro's campaign successfully challenged the ruling Sandinista government, which had anticipated victory. Exit polls indicated that Chamorro secured a decisive 55% majority against the incumbent Daniel Ortega. Her election marked a significant shift in Nicaraguan politics, as Ortega vowed to govern 'desde abajo' (from below) in response to his defeat. Chamorro assumed office during a tumultuous period, inheriting an economy devastated by the Contra War, which had inflicted severe financial and social costs on the nation. Her presidency represented not only a breakthrough for women's leadership in Nicaragua but also a critical juncture in the country's ongoing struggle for stability and recovery.