Nicaraguans, tired of free market reforms carried out by pro-Washington governments that have failed to improve living standards are expressing increasing support for Sandinista Daniel Ortega's bid to become the country's next president.

Nicaraguans are also wary of the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which Ortega opposes. Washington openly opposes Ortega and fears that Latin America's leftward shift could spread to Central America.

"Something has changed. The people are hungrier and poorer, and governments have shown they're incapable for helping the poor," said Luis Romero, a Sandinista leader in Leon. "There is a growing sense of moral solidarity from Latin America that you should never underestimate."