The measure, expected to be approved by President Enrique Bolaños, was voted in 52 to 0, with 9 abstentions and 29 representatives not showing up to vote.Nicaragua joins El Salvador and Chile as the only countries in the Western hemisphere to ban abortion without exception. But across Latin America, abortion is outlawed except in rare circumstances. It is readily available only in Cuba and a few English-speaking Caribbean countries.
The ban in Nicaragua comes two weeks before a hotly contested presidential election on Nov. 5, and opponents of the law say it was introduced now because no one dared to oppose it in the political climate.
“The presidential election is so polarized that the church saw this as an opportunity to force this issue now,” Dr. Mirma Cunningham, a former minister of health and member of the National Assembly, said in a telephone interview.
The measure was supported by Daniel Ortega, the front-runner in the presidential race. He favored the right to an abortion during his presidency in the 1980’s but has since embraced the Roman Catholic Church and has spoken out strongly against abortion.
Source: New York Times
Regards, Ivan
Oh that will make me change my opinion right away. /s
So what's he doing trotting around with Hugo Chavez? Hugo Chavez has censored the Catholic Church -- and they are fighting his regime with everything they've got.