- Daniel Ortega announced that Nicaragua will no longer hold elections, effectively eliminating the possibility of an electoral challenge when his term ends next year.
- In a speech commemorating the 1979 Sandinista revolution, Ortega stated, “There won’t be any more elections here for them to try to seize the government and seize power,” emphasizing his intent to maintain control.
- Ortega declared, “Never, never, never,” in reference to any future elections, indicating a firm stance against electoral competition.
- The announcement effectively canceled Nicaragua’s next elections, originally scheduled for November 2027, as Ortega seeks to extend his nearly 20-year rule.
- Opponents and rights groups have stated that this announcement represents an escalation in Ortega's efforts to solidify his grip on power in Nicaragua.
Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega declared on Sunday that the country will not hold any future elections, effectively canceling the next scheduled elections in November 2027. This announcement marks a significant step in Ortega's efforts to extend his nearly 20-year rule and eliminate any potential electoral competition.13
In his speech commemorating the 1979 Sandinista revolution, Ortega stated, “There won’t be any more elections here for them to try to seize the government and seize power,” emphasizing his intent to maintain control. He further asserted, “Never, never, never,” when asked about future elections.2
The announcement follows a series of constitutional reforms that have already established a one-party system in Nicaragua, where opposition leaders have been exiled or imprisoned. “Ortega and Murillo are evidently afraid at the idea that the slightest political opening could create the conditions for dissent to manifest and threaten their grip on power,” said Tiziano Breda, a senior analyst at ACLED.
The international community has widely condemned Ortega's regime as a dictatorship, with the Trump administration imposing sanctions on over 2,350 Nicaraguan officials. “Ortega publicly acknowledged what has always been his true intention: to prevent his tyrannical project from being subjected to any form of democratic competition,” noted Maradiaga.
The last election in 2021 was marred by allegations of illegitimacy, as Ortega jailed all potential challengers. “Instead of staging a rigged election, they have opted to eliminate electoral competition altogether,” Breda added, highlighting the regime's fear of dissent.
“Analysts said the move reveals Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo’s fear of dissent, eliminating electoral competition altogether -- a step beyond staging rigged elections. The UN Human Rights Council has accused the government of transforming Nicaragua into an authoritarian state and systematically violating human rights.”
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