Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has officially stated that the country will hold no more elections. He intends to coordinate with the National Assembly to implement legislation designed to block opposition forces entirely.
Speaking at an event commemorating the 1979 Sandinista revolution, the 80-year-old leader asserted that his administration would prevent rival parties from attempting to regain control. Ortega, who has led the country since 2007 following a previous tenure from 1985 to 1990, shares leadership duties with his wife, Rosario Murillo, who was named co-president earlier in 2025.
This announcement cements his plan to maintain authority beyond the conclusion of his current term in 2027. Opponents of the regime have long warned of a shift toward a single-party state characterized by the imprisonment of dissenters and the systematic silencing of civil society. The 2021 general election faced significant international criticism for the widespread detention of political candidates.
Currently, the United States maintains a Level 3 travel advisory for Nicaragua, citing dangers such as arbitrary law enforcement and wrongful detention. Washington has already issued sanctions against thousands of government-aligned individuals, and further reactions to this decision are anticipated from the Trump administration.
