Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega has declared that the country will no longer hold elections, effectively eliminating opposition challenges to his rule.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega announced that the country will cease to hold elections, further entrenching his grip on power and closing off any potential avenues for opposition to contest his administration. Ortega, who has been in power since 2007 and previously governed during the 1980s, made this declaration during a speech commemorating the 1979 Sandinista revolution, an event in which he played a significant role in overthrowing the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza.
“There won’t be any more elections here for them to try to seize the government and seize power,” Ortega stated, signaling a definitive end to electoral processes in Nicaragua. His current presidential term is set to extend through 2027.
This announcement effectively eliminates the possibility of future electoral challenges as Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, continue to consolidate their control over Nicaragua’s political landscape. Ortega emphasized that the era of parties supported by the United States and the remnants of the Somoza regime returning to power is over, declaring, “never again.”
The U.S. State Department has been contacted for comment regarding Ortega’s remarks. The previous Trump administration characterized the Ortega-Murillo government as a dictatorship and imposed sanctions on various government officials and their associates. Additionally, the State Department has enacted visa restrictions targeting over 2,350 Nicaraguan officials and their families.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for the Nicaraguan people, stating, “The United States stands with the Nicaraguan people who, like Rivera, aspire to see a free Nicaragua,” in June.
The Biden administration has also criticized Ortega, asserting that he illegitimately secured another term following the disputed 2021 presidential election. In the lead-up to that election, authorities arrested numerous presidential candidates, opposition leaders, business figures, and journalists, intensifying their crackdown on dissent.
In a bid to further entrench their power, Ortega and Murillo implemented sweeping constitutional changes that took effect in 2025. These reforms extended the presidential term from five years to six and elevated Murillo from vice president to “co-president.” The changes also placed Nicaragua’s legislative, judicial, and electoral institutions under the authority of the presidency, according to United Nations experts.
As a result, Ortega and Murillo now exert control over nearly every branch of government, including the armed forces, police, and judiciary. Salvador Marenco, coordinator of the Costa Rica-based Nicaragua Nunca Más Human Rights Collective, noted that Ortega had effectively eliminated meaningful electoral competition during elections held in 2011, 2016, and 2021.
Many prominent opposition leaders have faced imprisonment, forced exile, or revocation of their Nicaraguan citizenship. Opposition parties and independent civic organizations have also lost their legal status, further stifling dissent.
A United Nations group of experts has accused the Ortega-Murillo government of systematically violating human rights as part of a broader campaign to suppress criticism and maintain its grip on power. Some of these alleged violations may constitute crimes against humanity.
The government has a history of violent repression against anti-government protests, notably during the unrest in 2018, which resulted in the deaths of over 300 individuals, according to international human rights organizations.
As Nicaragua moves further away from democratic processes, the implications for its citizens and the region remain significant, raising concerns about the future of governance and human rights in the country.
According to Reuters, the situation in Nicaragua continues to evolve as Ortega and Murillo solidify their control.