Nicaragua's Ortega Declares End to Elections, Cementing Authoritarian Rule

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, aged 80, appeared publicly for the first time in two months to announce that no further elections will be held in the Central American country. This declaration comes ahead of the presidential elections originally scheduled for next year. Ortega stated firmly that opposition parties and rival candidates will no longer be allowed to compete, declaring, "There will be no more elections where they try to take over the government and seize power. The days when parties supported by the 'Yankees' (the U.S.) could return to power are over, this will never happen again."

Ortega also revealed plans to work with the local Congress to pass new legislation that would create a "barrier" against his opponents, whom he labeled as "traitors." Last year, he enacted constitutional amendments that fortified his regime, extended the presidential term to six years, and appointed his wife, Rosario Murillo, as "co-president." Together, they effectively control all branches of government, including the military and judiciary.

Ortega initially gained prominence by helping overthrow the brutal Somoza dictatorship in 1979. However, 47 years later, he has established his own family regime, holding power continuously since 2007 and previously serving in the 1980s. Over the years, especially before the 2021 elections, his government imprisoned and detained opposition leaders, journalists, businesspeople, and clergy, with some exiled and stripped of citizenship. Thousands of NGOs, religious institutions, and independent media outlets have been shut down.

Since the violent crackdown on protests in 2018, nearly one million Nicaraguans have fled the country. Ortega’s regime has severed diplomatic ties with Israel in the past and is widely regarded by the United Nations and Western countries as an authoritarian dictatorship.