The ruling political party of Nicaragua，the National Liberation Sandinista Front，swept the 2017 municipal elections and President Ortega is still the most popular political figure. The economy continued its strong performance with the second-highest GDP growth among Latin American countries. The anti-poverty programs run by the government made great progress in the past ten years. Nicaragua is the 6th most gender equal country in the world and leads the regional rankings. The political and economic relationship with Venezuela was uncertain，and ties with the US were strained. Its relations with Taiwan and Russia became increasingly closer.