Nicaragua's Ortega Abolishes Elections Amid US Criticism
WHO:
CNN - Professor Kai Thaler of the Department of Global Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
CNN - Nicaraguan political scientist Manuel Orozco, director of the Migration, Remittances, and Development Program at the US-based Inter-American Dialogue.
CNN - Daniel Ortega, co-president of Nicaragua, and Rosario Murillo, his wife and co-president.
Fox News - Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, and Trump administration officials.
WHAT:
CNN - Nicaragua announced measures interpreted as gestures toward Washington, including the release of dozens of prisoners after US demands.
Fox News - The United States imposed new sanctions on Nicaraguan officials in April, targeting two of Ortega and Murillo’s sons.
Fox News - Nicaragua's congress announced plans to abolish elections, following President Ortega's declaration that there would be no more elections.
Fox News - The constitutional overhaul will ensure Nicaragua's "peace, security and stability."
Fox News - The next elections, previously scheduled for November 2027, have effectively been canceled by Ortega's statement.
Fox News - The U.S. State Department condemned Ortega's declaration, stating it reveals the authoritarian nature of his regime and that they have abandoned the pretense of popular consent.
CNN - Ortega announced that Nicaragua will no longer hold elections to prevent opposition parties from seizing power.
Fox News - The State Department condemned Ortega's declaration, stating it reveals the authoritarian nature of his regime.
Fox News - Ortega stated, "There won’t be any more elections here for them to try to seize the government and seize power."
Fox News - The Nicaraguan regime is described as an "enemy of humanity" by the State Department.
WHERE:
CNN - Nicaragua.
WHEN:
Fox News - Ortega made his announcement on a Monday.
Fox News - The role of co-president was created in 2025 and given to Rosario Murillo.
WHY:
CNN - Orozco suggested that the US aims to avoid actions that could lead to waves of migration or repression and instead bets on gradual changes without direct intervention.
CNN - Thaler noted that the US currently isn’t paying much attention to Nicaragua and does not expect any shifts in the short term.
CNN - Ortega's decision to end elections is aimed at preventing opposition parties from gaining power.
Fox News - The State Department's condemnation highlights concerns over illegal immigration, human rights abuses, and regional stability.
HOW:
Fox News - The State Department has enacted visa restrictions targeting more than 2,350 Nicaraguan officials and their family members.
Fox News - The Ortega-Murillo government has expanded its authority through constitutional changes that took effect in 2025, including extending the presidential term from five years to six and placing legislative, judicial, and electoral institutions under presidential authority.
CNN - The Ortega-Murillo government has consolidated power through constitutional changes and the appointment of family members to key positions.
Fox News - The regime has suppressed anti-Ortega unrest since 2018.
(UPDATED July 23, 2026 17:24 UTC)
Nicaragua has announced measures seen as gestures toward Washington, including the release of dozens of prisoners following demands from the US. Political scientist Manuel Orozco noted that the US is aiming to avoid actions that might trigger waves of migration or repression, while Professor Kai Thaler pointed out that the US isn't currently focused on Nicaragua and doesn't foresee any immediate changes. Meanwhile, the State Department has implemented visa restrictions affecting more than 2,350 Nicaraguan officials and their families.
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(UPDATED July 23, 2026 05:54 UTC)
Nicaragua's congress has announced plans to abolish elections following President Ortega's declaration that there will be no more elections, effectively canceling the next elections that were scheduled for November 2027. The constitutional overhaul is said to ensure the country's "peace, security and stability," but the U.S. State Department has condemned Ortega's move, highlighting the authoritarian nature of his regime and the abandonment of popular consent. This shift in governance comes after the Ortega-Murillo government expanded its authority through constitutional changes in 2025, which included extending the presidential term from five years to six and placing key institutions under presidential control.
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(UPDATED July 23, 2026 00:18 UTC)
In a significant announcement, Daniel Ortega, co-president of Nicaragua, declared that the country will no longer hold elections, stating, "There won’t be any more elections here for them to try to seize the government and seize power." The State Department condemned Ortega's declaration, labeling his regime as an "enemy of humanity" and expressing concerns over illegal immigration, human rights abuses, and regional stability. This decision comes after the Ortega-Murillo government has consolidated power through constitutional changes and the suppression of anti-Ortega unrest since 2018.