Daniel Ortega announces Nicaragua will hold no further elections to solidify his long-term grip on power.
Daniel Ortega has declared that Nicaragua will no longer hold elections, a move intended to prevent opposition parties from seizing power. Speaking during the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution, the 80-year-old leader stated that the country will move toward a system of one-party rule, similar to China and Cuba. The announcement effectively cancels the next elections, which were originally scheduled for 2027. To maintain control, the administration plans to work with the National Assembly to pass new laws that will "build a wall" against what Ortega describes as "coup plotters" and "traitors." Critics and analysts suggest the move reflects a fear that even a minor political opening could allow dissent to threaten the current regime. Since 2018, the Ortega-Murillo government has consolidated authority by rewriting the constitution, jailing nearly all major opposition candidates, and shutting down thousands of non-governmental organizations. While the government denies holding political prisoners, international observers note that dozens remain behind bars for their political roles.