Nicaragua's Supreme Court has lifted a 1995 constitutional clause which bans presidential candidates from running consecutively or serving more than two terms. The decision would allow President Daniel Ortega, who was elected in 2007, to run for re-election in 2011. The ruling, which still has to be formally approved by 16 state judges, is expected to be ratified.

Mr Ortega joined the left-wing Sandinista National Liberation Front after being arrested for political activities at the age of 15. The Sandinistas fought the dictatorship of Anastasio Somosa. When the dictator was overthrown in a popular uprising in 1979, Mr Ortega represented the Sandinistas in a five-member Junta of National Reconciliation. The Sandinistas began to dominate the junta and after two of its members resigned Mr Ortega became the de facto ruler of Nicaragua.

Mr Ortega won the 1984 elections by a large majority and, after taking office in January 1985, served as president until 1990.

In the 1980s, United States President Ronald Reagan authorised Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North to divert funds from the illegal sale of weapons to Iran to the Contras, a right-wing guerrilla group which attempted to overthrow the government of President Ortega. The guerrilla warfare led to the death of 30,000 people. The Iran-Contra affair came to light in 1986 and became one of the greatest political scandals in US history.

Mr Ortega ran as a candidate for president and lost in 1990, 1996 and 2001. His politics have since become more moderate. During the run up to the 2006 election he also converted to Catholicism. He is the seventh Latin American president who in recent years has taken measures to change the constitution in order to serve an additional term in office.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega
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