Daniel Ortega announces Nicaragua will no longer hold elections to prevent opposition parties from seizing power.
Daniel Ortega 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 era of "Yankee" backed parties returning to power is over. The announcement effectively cancels the next elections, which were originally scheduled for 2027. By eliminating electoral competition, the administration seeks to solidify its grip on the country and avoid the risk of a democratic defeat. Ortega plans to work with the National Assembly to pass new laws that will "build a wall" against what he describes as "coup plotters" and "traitors." The move highlights the authoritarian nature of the rule shared with his wife, Rosario Murillo. While the administration has already jailed many rivals and crushed dissent, analysts suggest this decision reveals a fear of any political opening that could allow opposition to manifest. The U.S. government continues to view the country as a dictatorship and has imposed sanctions on over 2,350 officials.