Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega has been re-elected, setting the stage for his third consecutive term - but this time accompanied by his wife as vice president.

Left-wing leaders including Bolivian president Evo Morales and Nicaraguan president-elect Daniel Ortega rejoiced in the rise of their progressive movement in Latin America as they marked Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s 80th birthday.

Daniel Ortega has told Nicaraguans he is not the same revolutionary the US once tried to overthrow.

Nicaragua’s Congress has voted to approve a bill banning all abortions, including those that could save a mother’s life.

The first official results of yesterday’s presidential election in Nicaragua showed the governing Liberal party’s candidate Enrique Bolanos headed for a victory over Daniel Ortega of the Sandinista National Liberation Front.