Nicaragua’s government-controlled National Assembly is debating a law that would bar opposition parties from running in elections, with a vote expected in the first week of August.
The move follows remarks by President Daniel Ortega, 80, who said there “will be no more elections for them [the opposition] to try to seize power.”
Assembly head Gustavo Porras said lawmakers and the electoral authority are working to “not leave even a crack” for the opposition.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the proposal, saying “people of all political viewpoints must be allowed to vote and run for office.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also criticized Ortega, saying it shows the “true authoritarian nature” of his rule.
Ortega has been in power since 2007. A 2021 election was won by Ortega after most rivals were jailed or forced into exile. In 2025, a constitutional reform extended presidential terms to 6 years and named his wife Rosario Murillo as “co-president.”
Exiled opposition leaders said the plan would turn Nicaragua into a “one-party country.”
This is a strong fit for a Latin America news site. High engagement topic: democracy, Ortega, US reaction.