Nicaragua and Venezuela

An interesting article in The Nation on Daniel Ortega’s victory in the Nicaraguan presidential elections. Although it tries to put a positive spin its hard work. The extreme negative view is represented by Marc Cooper who accuses Ortega of being an entirely corrupt, compromised figure who is the grave-digger of the revolution. Ortega’s inauguration was attended by the presidents of Venezuela and Bolivia. Controversy has attached to the granting of powers to Venezuelan President Chavez to legislate by decree. At least some of the proposed uses for these new powers don't seem particularly useful. How would nationalisation of private sector companies assist in the redistribution of income, particularly as it will involve compensation to owners? The Cuban precedent is not encouraging.