Key facts
- Nicaragua's National Assembly is debating legislation to prevent opposition parties from participating in elections.
- A vote on the proposed legislation is scheduled for the first week of August.
- President Daniel Ortega recently stated that opposition parties would no longer be allowed to contest elections.
- Ortega's remarks and the legislative debate have been condemned by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the US Secretary of State.
- Opposition politicians in exile view the move as an effort to establish a one-party state.
Nicaragua's government-controlled National Assembly is considering legislation that would prevent opposition parties from participating in future elections. The move follows recent statements by President Daniel Ortega indicating his intention to block the opposition from contesting power. Ortega, who has ruled since 2007 and whose government has become increasingly authoritarian, accused the opposition of being financed by the United States and conspiring to seize power.
The legislative debate aims to "create a wall, to block the coup mongers," according to Ortega. The head of the National Assembly, Gustavo Porras, stated that the body and the electoral authority are discussing how to leave "not even a crack" for opposition parties. This comes after the 2021 presidential election, which Ortega won following a crackdown that saw potential rivals detained or exiled.
Ortega's remarks have drawn condemnation from international figures, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who stressed that all political viewpoints must be allowed to vote and run for office. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Ortega's statements as revealing the "true authoritarian nature" of his rule and noted that Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo (named co-president for February 2025), have "abandoned even the pretense of popular consent."
Nicaraguan opposition politicians living in exile have strongly criticized the proposed measures. Juan Sebastián Chamorro suggested the actions aim to turn Nicaragua into a one-party state similar to China, North Korea, and Cuba. Felix Maradiaga, a former opposition presidential candidate who was previously jailed, stated that Ortega's actions demonstrate fear of dissent and an acknowledgment that the desire for change remains alive.