CID-Gallup: Ortega Least Popular President in Region

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has the lowest favorability rating of any leader in the region, including deposed Honduran President Manuel “Mel” Zelaya, according to a CID-Gallup poll released Tuesday.

Despite being ousted by the military June 28, Zelaya is still viewed more favorably than Ortega, who has a favorability rating of 42 percent, ranking him last among the seven presidents of the Central American Integration System (Central America plus the Dominican Republic).

The CID Gallup poll, which claims a 95 percent confidence rating, measures public opinion towards the presidents, and is not an evaluation of their performances.

Topping the poll are the two newest presidents in the region, El Salvador’s leftist President Mauricio Funes and Panama’s right-wing Ricardo Martinelli, both of whom enjoy an 86 percent favorability rating. In third place is Costa Rica’s President Oscar Arias, with 70 percent, followed by Guatemala’s Alvaro Colom, with 55 percent.

–Nica Times