The dictator of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, categorically rejected the possibility of calling for new elections in the country and made clear his intention to prevent any advance of the opposition, which has been denouncing irregularities and restrictions on civil liberties for years.
During an event held in Managua for the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution, the leader stated that the opposition sectors remain “lurking,” mostly outside the country, and ruled out any scenario of electoral competition.
“They would love to win elections to make it real (make money) with the schools. But they should forget it, there will be no more elections here, so that they (the opposition) can try to seize the government, seize power,” he asserted.
Nicaragua was scheduled to hold general elections in November, but a series of reforms by the regime that came into effect at the beginning of 2025, which were questioned by international organizations and opposition sectors, extended the presidential term to six years.
Thus, the next elections are theoretically scheduled for November 2027, despite the fact that the current socialist dictator has been in power for almost 20 years.
Ortega, 80 years old and in power since 2007, also anticipated new legislative measures aimed at reinforcing political persecution.
In this regard, he indicated that the National Assembly, dominated by the ruling party, will promote “laws to put up a wall, a block against the coup plotters, against the traitors.” In the same speech, he added: “No matter how much money the Yankees (U.S.) give them, they will not be able to.”
Daniel Ortega
The dictator's statements generated immediate reactions from the opposition. The collective Nicaragua Nunca Más, which operates from Costa Rica, denounced that the Executive destroyed spaces for citizen participation and weakened the democratic system.
“The Sandinista Front has practically become a single party, with no real opposition within Nicaragua,” stated Salvador Marenco, coordinator of the organization.
The activist also pointed out a series of measures adopted in recent years, such as the closure of more than 5,600 civil entities, the cancellation of political parties, and the closure of media outlets.
In this line, Marenco maintained that the current context prevents the functioning of a democratic system. “All of this should be part of the democratic game, which no longer exists in Nicaragua because the rule of law does not exist. The words not only bury the possibility of elections in 2027, they are also a reaffirmation of impunity,” he expressed.
