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

Daniel Ortega, who first came to power in Nicaragua following the Sandinista revolution that overthrew a family dictatorship 47 years ago, announced that there will never be elections again in the country. Speaking at a ceremony commemorating the fall of dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle in 1979, Ortega declared, "Forget about it. There will be no more elections here where they try to seize the government and power." He repeated the phrase "never" three times when addressing the possibility of his opponents returning to power.

The next elections in Nicaragua are scheduled for November 2027, but Ortega, now 80, did not clarify whether they would be canceled outright or if only his party would be allowed to run. He said he would work with the National Assembly, controlled by his loyalists, to pass laws creating a "wall" against opposition parties. Ortega labeled his opponents as "traitors" and "coup plotters" serving the United States.

Ortega’s public appearance was his first in two months amid speculation about his health and succession plans. He shares power with his wife, Rosario Murillo, who was recently named "co-president" following constitutional amendments that expanded presidential powers, extended terms from five to six years, and ensured Murillo would inherit full authority if Ortega could no longer serve.

Since returning to power in 2007, Ortega has dismantled democratic institutions by removing term limits, subordinating the judiciary and parliament, and suppressing independent media. The regime’s crackdown intensified after 2018 protests against pension cuts escalated into nationwide unrest, resulting in over 300 deaths and mass arrests or exile of opponents. Ahead of the 2021 elections, all credible challengers were jailed, opposition parties banned, and the vote was widely condemned as illegitimate by the US and others.

The US has imposed sanctions on over 2,350 Nicaraguan officials and their families, citing human rights abuses including the death in custody of indigenous opposition leader Brooklyn Rivera. The government has closed more than 5,000 organizations, including NGOs, religious institutions, universities, and media outlets. Hundreds of dissidents have been exiled and stripped of citizenship. At least 46 political prisoners remain detained, although the government denies holding any.

Ortega’s regime has also distanced Nicaragua from the US and Western countries, strengthening ties with Iran, Russia, China, and Cuba. In October 2024, Nicaragua severed diplomatic relations with Israel, accusing it of "genocide" and expressing support for Iran and its regional allies. Analysts view Ortega’s announcement as a sign of fear that even minimal political openings could reignite protests.