Nicaragua's legislature approves constitutional changes that bar opposition and lengthen terms

On Tuesday, Nicaragua's Congress approved a constitutional amendment that bars opposition parties from contesting elections and extends the terms of the co-presidents, as well as the heads of the army and police, from six to seven years. The proposal, championed by Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo, passed its initial legislative session and is slated for a second vote beginning on January 18, in line with the country's amendment procedure.

Ortega previously announced that no further elections would be held to stop opposition forces from reclaiming power, a stance that provoked condemnation from multiple Central American countries, Bolivia, Brazil and Chile, while the United States called for international isolation of the Nicaraguan government. Panama responded by withdrawing its ambassador from Managua. The ruling party had earlier extended the presidential term from five to six years and postponed the 2024 election to late 2027.

Ortega, who has led the nation since 2022 after a disputed election, is the longest-serving leader in the Americas. The country remains in a deep political crisis that began in 2018 with a violent crackdown on protests.