Overview
- Ortega spoke on Sunday at the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution in Managua, declaring “Aquí no volverá a haber elecciones” and ordering the FSLN‑controlled National Assembly to draft laws to block opposition participation.
- A major 2025 constitutional overhaul already centralized power by creating a copresidency for Rosario Murillo, extending the presidential term to six years, and placing legislative, judicial and electoral bodies under executive coordination.
- International bodies and governments including the United Nations, the Organization of American States and U.S. officials publicly condemned Ortega’s announcement and urged restoration of civic space and the right to vote.
- Exiled opposition leaders called the declaration confirmation of a shift to a party‑hegemonic or dynastic system; the decision builds on years of repression since 2018 that included arrests, exile, closures of organizations and revocation of citizenship for critics.
- The Assembly has begun work to convert Ortega’s declaration into legal measures, with the legislative leadership saying a bill will be voted in early August, so observers should watch for proposed changes to electoral law or the constitution and for possible new sanctions or diplomatic responses.