NICARAGUAN prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for former vice-president Sergio Ramirez today as efforts to destabilise the country’s forthcoming elections intensify.

Mr Ramirez, who fled the country in June, is wanted on suspicion of conspiracy and incitement of hate as part of US-backed operations against the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) government led by President Daniel Ortega.

The former vice-president had been asked to appear as a witness in a case against the Chamorro Foundation, a charity established by Cristiana Chamorro, the daughter of former president Violeta Chamorro.