There will be no more elections here: The pressures and challenges facing Daniel Ortega after his controversial decision

Daniel Ortega, president of Nicaragua, declared during a ceremony commemorating the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution in Managua on Sunday that the country will never again hold elections. Speaking directly to the public, Ortega stated, “Forget it, here there will be no more elections.” His remarks were part of a broader message aimed at silencing opposition forces, whom he accused of attempting to seize power. Ortega, who is 80 years old, claimed that the National Assembly, which is under official control, would pass laws to erect barriers against “golpistas” and “vendepatria”, terms used to describe political opponents and critics. He further asserted that no amount of financial support from the United States could sway the government's stance. His speech was broadcast nationwide, reinforcing his position that the current regime would not allow democratic competition. Nicaragua was originally scheduled to hold presidential elections by the end of 2026. However, last year, the ruling party approved a controversial constitutional amendment that postponed these elections until 2027. Now, Ortega’s comments suggest that even this delayed election might not take place. This move has intensified concerns among both domestic and international observers regarding the erosion of democratic norms in the country. According to El País, while the announcement does not change the reality that Nicaraguans have long faced electoral fraud since 2008, as noted by international election monitoring organizations, it represents a shift in rhetoric and political strategy. The 2021 presidential elections exemplified a system devoid of real competition, with Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, imprisoning all credible opposition candidates and securing over 75 percent of the vote. The New York Times described the declaration as marking an “explicit end” to any notion that Nicaragua still functions as a democracy. The U.S. Department of State has expressed concern over the growing authoritarianism in Nicaragua, with officials urging allies in the hemisphere to support the rights of the Nicaraguan people. The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs tweeted that the Ortega-Murillo regime continues to demonstrate hostility toward human rights and stability, threatening U.S. national interests. Félix Maradiaga, a former presidential candidate arrested by the Ortega-Murillo administration and later exiled to the United States, called Ortega’s statement a clear indication that the facade of legality has been removed. “This is simply an expression that demonstrates how the mask they wanted to maintain has fallen,” he told The New York Times. Tiziano Breda, a senior analyst for ACLED, noted that Ortega and Murillo fear even minimal political openness could lead to dissent challenging their rule. Instead of organizing a fraudulent election, they have opted to eliminate competitive politics entirely. “They have chosen to remove the very possibility of contestation,” Breda explained. Albert Ramdin, secretary-general of the Organization of American States, condemned the regime’s actions, stating that Ortega’s statements make explicit what his policies had already demonstrated: the abandonment of democracy, even its appearance. “This posture constitutes the definitive denial of the right of the people to choose their government,” Ramdin said on social media. The situation in Nicaragua continues to evolve, with increasing pressure from both regional and global actors. As the government solidifies its grip on power, the implications for the future of governance and civil liberties remain uncertain. For now, the focus remains on the immediate consequences of Ortega’s decision and the potential impact on the nation’s political landscape.