from abuja, nigeria, we are joined by alejandro bendaÑa, the founder of the centro de national for thedies in managua, nicaragua. he served as the nicaraguan ambassador to the united nations and secretary general of the foreign ministryry during sandinista government in niragua fromom 1979 to 1990.0. in mananagua, we are joined byby monica lopez b baltodano, a humn rights activist t who is on the front lines ofof protests inin nicaragua. she is the author of the bout th the book about the canal. and in new york, we're joined by stephen hellinger, president development gap -- the development group for alternative policies -- which has worked around the world with local organizations since 1976 to promote economic justice through changes in prevailing international economic programs and policies. he has l lived and worked extensively in nicaragua. welcome to dememocracy now! let's begin with monica lopez babaltodano. explain what is happenining on e ground.. >> thank you very much for the opportunity. what we have been seeing for the oft 45 days is the rise up very strong proper the rebe