Nicaragua's parliament, firmly under the control of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, has announced plans to abolish elections in the Central American nation, following through on Ortega's declaration over the weekend that the country would never again hold elections. Lawmakers said the planned constitutional overhaul is intended to ensure Nicaragua's "peace, security and stability," effectively closing off any potential path for the opposition to challenge the government.
Ortega made the declaration on Sunday during a speech commemorating the 1979 Sandinista revolution, in which he participated in the overthrow of the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza. "There won't be any more elections here for them to try to seize the government and seize power," Ortega said. "The days when parties backed by the Yankees (United States) and the Somocistas would return to power are over — never again." The statement appeared to eliminate the possibility of a future electoral challenge as Ortega and Murillo continue consolidating control over the country's political institutions.
Ortega and Murillo expanded their authority through sweeping constitutional changes that took effect in 2025. The reforms extended the presidential term from five years to six and placed the legislative, judicial, and electoral institutions under the authority of the presidency. The pair now exercise control over nearly every branch of government, including the armed forces, police, and judiciary. Ortega, Nicaragua's longest-serving leader, had been set to remain in power until early 2028, but his statement on Sunday effectively canceled the next elections, which had been scheduled for November 2027.
Critics argue that Ortega had already effectively eliminated meaningful electoral competition during elections in 2011, 2016, and 2021. Many prominent opposition leaders have been imprisoned, forced into exile, or stripped of their Nicaraguan citizenship, while opposition parties and independent civic organizations have lost their legal status. A United Nations group of experts has accused the Ortega-Murillo government of systematically violating human rights as part of a campaign to eliminate criticism and preserve its hold on power. The experts said some alleged violations may amount to crimes against humanity. The government launched a violent crackdown on anti-government protests in 2018, during which more than 300 people were killed, according to international human rights groups.
Ortega's effort to abolish elections prompted widespread condemnation from foreign governments, including the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday, "Daniel Ortega's declaration that under his family's dictatorship, Nicaragua will never again hold elections lays bare their true authoritarian nature. Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo have abandoned even the pretense of popular consent." Rubio added, "The Nicaraguan people have the right to choose their own leaders through democratic elections. The United States calls on the international community to join forces to demonstrate to the Murillo-Ortega dictatorship that it cannot expect to maintain business as usual with other nations when it is thwarting the basic tenets of our democratic hemisphere."
The Trump administration has described the Ortega-Murillo government as a dictatorship and imposed sanctions on members of the government and their allies. The State Department has also enacted visa restrictions targeting more than 2,350 Nicaraguan officials and their family members. Volker Türk, the United Nations' high commissioner for human rights, denounced Nicaragua's legislative ambitions on Wednesday, stating that "people of all political viewpoints must be allowed to vote and run for office." Türk said in a statement, "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."
The move by Nicaragua's parliament represents a significant escalation in the Ortega-Murillo regime's efforts to entrench its power, eliminating any remaining democratic processes. The international community's response, including sanctions and diplomatic condemnation, underscores the growing isolation of the Nicaraguan government. However, with full control over state institutions, Ortega and Murillo appear determined to maintain their grip on power, leaving little room for political opposition or dissent.