Nicaragua’s legislature announced plans to abolish elections in the country, following a directive from President Daniel Ortega. The move, declared on Tuesday, is part of a broader constitutional overhaul aimed at securing what the ruling Sandinista government describes as Nicaragua’s “peace, security and stability.” The legislative body is dominated by Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, who together have maintained firm control over the country for nearly two decades.
Ortega’s announcement came during a speech marking the anniversary of the Sandinista revolution on Sunday, where he declared that future elections would no longer take place. This effectively cancels the country’s next presidential vote, originally scheduled for November 2027. Earlier this year, the government-backed legislature extended the presidential term length from five to six years, further consolidating Ortega’s grip on power.
Critics argue that the abolishment of elections is part of a sustained effort to eliminate opposition and undermine democratic norms. Since violent protests erupted in 2018, the government has undertaken a broad crackdown on dissent, jailing opposition figures, religious leaders, and civil society activists. Thousands of non-governmental organizations have been shut down, and constitutional amendments have repeatedly concentrated authority in the hands of Ortega and Murillo.
The United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, issued a statement condemning the actions, emphasizing the need for electoral participation across all political viewpoints. “These latest developments further deepen the severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms, the dismantling of civic space, and the steady erosion of the rule of law,” Turk said on Wednesday.
The Nicaraguan government declined to comment directly on the international criticisms, providing only a brief statement, “Thank you for your interest.” Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the move a clear demonstration of Ortega and Murillo’s authoritarian intentions. Rubio urged the international community to unite in response and warned that Nicaragua should not expect normal diplomatic or economic relations while abandoning democratic principles.
Despite repeated sanctions and sharp rhetoric by the U.S., the administration’s measures against Nicaragua have been limited in scope. Some analysts note a contrasting approach toward neighboring El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele—an ally of former President Donald Trump—has also diminished democratic checks yet received largely positive statements from U.S. officials. The differing responses underscore ongoing challenges in Washington’s policy toward regional leaders accused of authoritarian practices.