Nicaragua & ALBANISA: The Privatization of Venezuelan Aid

1. “The Sea, the Ship, and the Uncertain Course,” Revista Envío, May 2008, Number 322. http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/3775

2. “Comptroller’s Office to Audit ALBANISA,” NicaNet, February 9, 2010. http://www.nicanet.org/?p=915

3. Tim Rogers, “Gov’t: Power Blackouts to End Dec. 1,” Nica Times, November 9-15, 2007. http://www.nicatimes.net/nicaarchive/110907.htm

4. Luis Galeano and José Adán Silva, “Apartan a Chico López,” El Nuevo Diario, December 27, 2009. http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/nacionales/64891

5. “Reported embezzlement at ALBA in Nicaragua,” El Universal, December 29, 2009. http://english.eluniversal.com/2009/12/29/en_eco_art_reported-embezzlemen_29A3239051.shtml

6. Figure calculated using exchange rate from January 2009 (http://www.exchange-rates.org/history/NIO/USD/T). The córdoba has hovered around an exchange rate of 20:1 U.S. for the past couple years, but it continues to lose its value.

7. Translation of statement by Rafael Paniagua, quoted in: “Alemán rechaza palabras de representante del ALBA,” El Nuevo Herald, February 1, 2010. http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2010/02/01/643153/aleman-rechaza-palabras-de-representante.html#storylink=rss

8. Translated from quotes in: “Arce: “está loco” el ejecutivo del ALBA,” Radio La Primerísima, February 2, 2010. http://www.rlp.com.ni/noticias/69828

9. “Nicaragua News Bulletin: 6. Channel 8 purchased by Sandinista group,” NicaNet, January 26, 2010. http://www.nicanet.org/?p=906

10. Ibid.

11. Luis Galeano, “Albanisa es un pulpo,” El Nuevo Diario, September 28, 2009. http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/nacionales/58180

12. “CGR auditará ALBA, NISA,” Radio La Primerísima, February 4, 2010. http://www.radiolaprimerisima.com/noticias/general/70020

13. “Nicaragua: Alba cooperation under the spotlight,” Latin American Regional Report: Caribbean & Central America, February 2010, RC-10-02.

14. Victor Hugo Tinoco, “Corruption is the Most Serious Aspect of the Ortega-Chávez Relationship,” Revista Envío, September 2009, Number 338. http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/4061

15. “Nicaragua: Alba cooperation under the spotlight.”

16. Galeano.

17. “Nicaragua: Alba cooperation deepens,” Latin American Weekly Report, November 19, 2009, WR-09-46.

18. “What Surprises Will the End of this Third Year Bring?”Revista Envío, October 2009, Number 339. http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/4075

19. “Venezuelan aid for Nicaragua,” LatinNews Daily, June 15, 2009.

20. “Selection indicators,” The Millenium Challenge Corporation. http://www.mcc.gov/mcc/selection/indicators/index.shtml

21. “Nicaragua: IMF visit inconclusive,” Latin American Weekly Report, March 13, 2008, WR-08-10.

22. “Nicaragua: Questions surround funding for fuel subsidies,” Latin American Weekly Report, March 22, 2008, WR-08-20.

23. Hugo Tinoco.

24. “Nicaragua: ‘Alba’ bonuses stall talks with IMF,” Latin American Weekly Report, May 13, 2010, WR-10-19.

25. Translated from the following: “Si Albanisa fuese una empresa transnacional, ustedes creen que va a facilitar para mejorar el salario de los trabajadores, ¿cuándo?” cited from “Ortega reta a transnacionales repartir riqueza como Albanisa,” Radio la Primerísima, May 8, 2010. http://www.radiolaprimerisima.com/noticias/general/76131