Nicaragua's Ortega Moves to Cancel Elections Amid US Threats Over Dictatorial Rule

Nicaragua's parliament, dominated by President Daniel Ortega, announced a plan to implement his promise to cancel the country's upcoming elections scheduled for November 2027. The lawmakers justified the move as necessary to "ensure peace, security, stability, and continuity in the fight against poverty," initiating an analysis to develop a work plan to execute Ortega's directive. This announcement coincides with a stern warning from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who condemned Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, as dictators and threatened that the U.S. and international community would no longer engage in "business as usual" with Nicaragua if elections are canceled.

Ortega, 87, who has ruled Nicaragua with an iron fist for years and is accused of suppressing political opposition, shocked observers earlier this week by declaring there would be no more elections in the country. Speaking at a ceremony commemorating the 1979 overthrow of dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle, Ortega emphatically stated, "Never again," regarding the possibility of opposition parties returning to power. He vowed to enact laws to block opposition parties, labeling his rivals as "traitors" and "coup plotters" working for the U.S.

The international community has sharply criticized Ortega's intentions. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk stressed the importance of allowing all political groups to participate in elections, warning that these developments further restrict fundamental freedoms and erode the rule of law. Rubio echoed these concerns, highlighting the joint nature of the move by Ortega and Murillo and calling for coordinated international sanctions against their regime.

Ortega's consolidation of power has been ongoing for years. After losing the presidency in 1990, he returned to power in 2007 and has since dismantled democratic institutions, extended presidential terms, and elevated Murillo to "co-president" with succession rights. The regime violently suppressed nationwide protests in 2018, resulting in over 300 deaths and mass arrests. Ahead of the 2021 elections, opposition candidates were jailed or exiled, and independent media were shuttered. The U.S. does not recognize Ortega's government, labeling it a dictatorship and imposing sanctions on thousands of officials and their families.

Nicaragua has also distanced itself from the U.S. 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 latest move not only as a power display but also as a sign of fear that any political opening could reignite protests.