Nicaragua’s Election

The article by Octavio Paz, “. . .one of Latin America’s most prominent authors and intellectuals,” was a contrived work of fiction (Op-Ed Page, March 1). He reports that the Nicaraguan election was a “free” election. Only in an Orwellian sense can the Nicaraguan election be considered “free.”

More than $20 million was spent by the U.S. government and private groups to “influence” (buy?) the outcome. If a proportionate sum based on our population had been spent in the U.S. it would have amounted to an infusion of $2 billion, making such a U.S. election as free as one run by Boss Tweed. And let’s not forget the invasion of Panama--the timing was just right to let a war-weary people know that their ordeal might not be over if the Sandinistas won.

The belief that Nicaragua had a free election is the real fantasy. Jonathan Swift did not wonder to see men wicked, but he did wonder to see them not ashamed. So do I.

DIANA DOMINGUEZ

Irvine