Humberto Ortega, Former Nicaraguan General, Dies at 77

Humberto Ortega Saavedra, a former military strategist and brother of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, died at the age of 77 from cardiorespiratory arrest in a military hospital in Managua. His death followed a period of declining health and police surveillance, interpreted as house arrest, after he criticized his brother's leadership and questioned his succession. The Nicaraguan Army reported that Ortega experienced a sudden health deterioration shortly before his death, which was preceded by an interview where he made controversial remarks about the lack of successors in his brother's regime. Humberto was a significant figure in the Sandinista movement, having served as Army chief post-revolution until 1995, but became estranged from Daniel due to political differences. His passing has raised concerns about the state of dissent in Nicaragua, where government repression has escalated significantly in recent years. The legacy of both brothers remains intertwined with the country's turbulent history since the overthrow of the Somoza dictatorship in 1979.