Ortega pledges to make Nicaragua's canal a reality. https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/w/ortega-pledges-to-make-nicaraguas-canal-a-reality Where did this quote originate? I don't recall the U.S.A. government ever taking a position????? the ousting of the Sandinista government. Washington has long feared that development of the canal would weaken its influence in Central America and strengthen its rival China.