Nicaragua passes reform to exclude opponents from elections and US calls to break ties with dictatorship

Nicaragua's legislature approved a constitutional reform on Tuesday that bars opponents from participating in elections, a move that prompted the United States to call on the international community to sever ties with what it describes as a dictatorship. The amendment, backed by President Daniel Ortega, extends his presidential term from six to seven years and excludes individuals who have been involved in planning or executing a "coup," labeled "traitors to the nation," or those seeking "military intervention" or "economic blockades." It also stipulates that foreign laws will not hold legal weight within Nicaragua. The reform was passed unanimously during a special session held near the cathedral in León, 90 kilometers northwest of Managua, according to Gustavo Porras, president of the National Assembly. The measure, which Ortega proposed last July during the anniversary of the Sandinista revolution, has drawn widespread international criticism. The current legislative body must confirm the change early in 2027, a step considered inevitable. Ortega, an 80-year-old former leftist guerrilla fighter, and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo, 75, maintain absolute power over the country, especially after the violent crackdown on protests in 2018 that left more than 300 dead, according to UN figures. The couple, who have ruled for nearly two decades, view those demonstrations as a U.S.-backed attempt to stage a coup. The U.S. government urged its international allies on Wednesday to halt routine operations with Nicaragua’s administration, stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement. He called on partners to cut economic ties with the Central American nation because "dictatorships that deny their citizens' inalienable rights should not enjoy the same economic and political benefits as other states." Rubio emphasized that Washington remains committed to addressing human rights violations by the regime. At the request of the United States, the Organization of American States (OAS) approved an emergency meeting of foreign ministers, though the date has yet to be set, to discuss potential sanctions against Nicaragua. OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin expressed hope that ministers could make individual or collective decisions to impose penalties and increase pressure on Nicaragua. Despite these calls for action, the United States remains Nicaragua's largest trading partner, and the country continues to receive loans from international banks and the International Monetary Fund. Opposition groups have urged the international community to implement economic sanctions against the Ortega government. Ortega returned to power in 2007 after serving in the 1980s and has since consolidated authority through strict control over society. His administration has faced ongoing scrutiny for alleged human rights abuses and suppression of dissent. The new constitutional reforms further entrench his grip on power, extending his rule beyond the current term and ensuring that future elections will exclude critics deemed threats to national stability. The reforms were announced weeks earlier by Porras, who declared that the initiative would become law. He reiterated that Nicaraguans themselves determine when and how elections take place, reinforcing the government's narrative that the changes reflect domestic consensus rather than external influence. As tensions escalate, the international response remains uncertain. While diplomatic pressure mounts, the practical impact of such measures on Nicaragua's economy and governance structure remains unclear. The situation underscores the complex interplay between regional politics, economic dependencies, and human rights concerns in Latin America.