Daniel Ortega's stepdaughter claims abuse began at age 11

                      MANAGUA, Nicaragua (CNN) -- Nicaragua has been rocked
                      by allegations that former President Daniel Ortega,
                      secretary-general of the powerful Sandinista party, molested his
                      stepdaughter over a period of years, including when he was the
                      country's leader.

                      Zoilamerica Narvaez Murillo, 30, made the charges in a letter
                      published Tuesday in Bolsa de Noticias, a political newsletter. She
                      said the sexual abuse began when she was 11 and was "a typical
                      case of domestic violence."

                      "I've been assaulted psychologically, physically, sexually, and I've
                      also been assaulted from a powerful position," she wrote. "And
                      that's why this case has a connotation that transcends my personal
                      life."

                      Though she announced in the letter that she was renouncing the
                      Ortega surname, she said she had forgiven her stepfather and had
                      no plans to file charges.

                      Hours after the letter became public, Ortega and his common-law
                      wife, Rosario Murillo, who is Zoilamerica's mother, appeared at a
                      news conference surrounded by seven of their children.

                      "This subject brings pain and sadness, and also indignation at the
                      manipulation," Ortega said. He then turned the news conference
                      over to his wife, who read a statement proclaiming their faith in
                      God and their love for Zoilamerica, whom Ortega adopted.

                      "What motives could a loved one have to try and destroy the
                      respect of a man who has given himself to the people without fail?"
                      Rosario Murillo said. "What motives could she have to try and
                      destroy him as a symbol of values and commitment?"

                      Neither Ortega, who did not directly address the charges, nor his
                      wife answered questions.

                      As a leader of the leftist Sandinista guerrillas, Ortega helped topple
                      the regime of dictator Anastasio Somoza in 1979. He was named
                      president of a revolutionary junta and was elected president in
                      1984, amid attempts by U.S.-backed Contra rebels to overthrow
                      his government.

                      In 1990, with the civil war over, Ortega was ousted at the polls by
                      Violeta Chamorro. He tried and failed to become president again
                      in 1996 but still serves as a congressman.

                      A leader of Nicaragua's Liberal Party Wednesday called for
                      Ortega to resign from Congress, where he enjoys immunity from
                      prosecution.

                      "If he doesn't resign, it would be an admission of guilt because he
                      would be hiding behind the shield of immunity," said Eliseo Nuñez,
                      leader of the Liberals' congressional delegation.