OAS Countries Condemn Ortega After He Says There Will Be No More Elections in Nicaragua

Overview

• President Daniel Ortega declared that Nicaragua will “no longer have elections” in remarks made in July, a statement that has prompted sharp regional criticism.
• Ten OAS member governments issued a joint declaration condemning measures that would eliminate genuine electoral competition and saying such steps violate inter‑American democratic norms.
• Nicaragua’s National Assembly president, Gustavo Porras, countered that elections could continue only after constitutional reforms to bar those labeled as “golpistas” from running.
• The Inter‑American Commission on Human Rights has urged activation of the Inter‑American Democratic Charter and the OAS Permanent Council scheduled a formal discussion of Nicaragua’s political situation.
• Nicaragua formally left the OAS in November 2023, a fact that complicates standard diplomatic and institutional responses and raises the prospect of increased regional isolation for Ortega’s government.