When I returned to Nicaragua in the 2005, ten years after to have been the economic advisor in the Embassy of the United States, I was impressed of which seemed to be a true progress in infrastructure terms better, greater social investment and macroeconomic stability, in summary, one better quality of life stops most of the Nicaraguans.

Nevertheless, also I have been hit by an endless number of commentaries that say that during last the 16 years the conditions of life have not improved and that, in fact, have gotten worse, in summary, the transition towards a true democracy and towards an open and competitive economy it has failed the common man to him.

But what reality shows the statistics to us?

The United Nations indicate that, in Nicaragua, the indices of infantile mortality have lowered of 52 deaths by each 1.000 alive births in 1990, to 30 by each 1.000 in the 2005. According to the numbers of the United Nations and the Ministry of Health, the rate of maternal mortality has descended from 160 by 100.000 in 1990 to almost 90 by 100.000 in the 2005. Information of the Survey of Demography of Health (ENDESA) of the 2001 indicates that the cover of prenatal care by described personnel is enough discharge in Nicaragua, 86 percents, a significant improvement of 5 percents from 1998. The childbirths taken care of with specialized medical personnel are also high with cover of a 67 percent.

The numbers of UNESCO show that the scholastic matriculations of the children of primary education increased of 73 by mud in 1991 to 88 percents in the 2004. The last numbers of the Ministry of Education in November of the 2006, report 92 percents of matriculations in the 2005. The index of alphabetization between young people of 15 to 24 years of age increased of 68 percents in 1990 to 86 percents in the 2004, the tendency shows improvements again.

Also, the accumulated inflation, that according to the Central bank arrived at the unusual number of 33.547 percents in 1988, has not both surpassed digits by last the eight years and in the 2006 he continues stable in 9.1 percents. From 1978 to 1990, Nicaragua had an abysmal fall in the real gross internal product, falling 32,9 percents, and 51,9 per-cápita percents in terms. In resistance, now the economy has grown by 13 years consecutive to an average near the growth of the 2006, projected to the 3,8 percent.

From 1980 to 1990, Nicaragua had an annual average of not more of US$360 million in traditional and nontraditional exports. In the 2006 it is hoped that the exports exceed the US$1,000 million for the first time in history, without including US$850 million in exports of the Frank Zone.

One of the most impressive numbers is the best position than Nicaragua in the Index of Human Development of the United Nations has obtained (IDH). This tool gives one more to a more complex measurement of the poverty and quality of life using a combination of factors like life expectancy, level of alphabetization of adults, scholastic matriculation and level and income. The index of Nicaragua in 1970 was 0,549 (of possible 1,0). In 1990 it lowered a 10 percent to 0.496. But in the 2004 it had improved to 0.698. In other words, Nicaragua has improved its IDH in a 40 percent from 1990 and now it has a ranking upper than Guatemala and Honduras.

The Government of the United States is proud of to have been one of the greater international donors than he has worked very close by with the Nicaraguan Government and his town from 1990. We have contributed US$1,700 million dollars for the effort of Nicaragua in fortifying the democracy, providing more uses and one better quality with life its inhabitants and to give to quality in health and education to the Nicaraguan families.

With respect to our present programs, we are working, for example, very close by with the Ministry of Health in 15 of 17 Local Systems of Integral Attention of Health (Silais) improving the quality in well-taken care of of health. The bottoms of USAID for programs of nutrition and health at communitarian level take care of 19.900 families. Our program model of active learning has been in an index of scholastic conclusion upper and academic notes more discharges in schools than participate in this program. Our economic attendance, particularly for small producers, has increased to its sales and income to them and opened new opportunities of market with the Free Trade Agreement Dr-Cafta.

While the profits of last the 16 years are impressive, there is no doubt that still persist challenges. Certainly this progress so has not been extended as it had liked the Government, or to the community donor or the town of Nicaragua. There is many disparities in health and education between the urban and rural sector and rich and poor. The undernourishment indices continue being high in many regions of the country and thousands of children do not attend any school.

Said this, the Government and the Nicaraguan town during the past few years have demonstrated a great commitment to focus in these challenges, and must be proud of their profits. It has not been a easy task. He always implies to establish priorities with limited resources, aside from being with political resistance.

The new administration will have to make hard decisions to maintain the profits obtained in economy, health and education and thus to continue with the tendency to improve. I hope that they are based on the successes of the past within a political frame anchored by the democracy and a market economy.