Ortega declares end of elections, cementing Nicaragua's authoritarian rule

President Daniel Ortega used the July 19 anniversary of the 1979 revolution to announce that Nicaragua will no longer conduct elections, a step that former Sandinista fighter Mónica Baltodano says seals the demise of democracy. Ortega’s rule has been marked by the capture of key institutions, constitutional reforms removing term limits, and repeated electoral fraud. Since the violent crackdown on 2018 protests, the regime has jailed presidential hopefuls, civic leaders, journalists and clergy, and has seized NGOs, media outlets and universities.

Thousands of dissidents have been stripped of citizenship and forced into exile, while power is concentrated with Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo, who serves as co-president. The parliament, entirely controlled by Ortega’s allies, is preparing constitutional amendments to institutionalize the end of voting. Analysts note that, despite a climate of terror, there is underlying discontent within the security forces, though the army has so far remained loyal to the couple.