Nicaragua formalizes single-party regime via constitutional changes

Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega has moved to formalize a single-party regime by incorporating a prohibition of democratic elections into the national Constitution. This follows a pattern of political suppression that began years ago, including the 2021 reelection of Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo without political competition after the illegalization of opposition parties and the imprisonment of presidential candidates.

Since the 2018 protests, the government has established a police state that has curtailed freedoms of assembly, press, and expression. The administration has also targeted civil society, resulting in the dissolution of over 5,500 associations, including universities, medical groups, and religious organizations. According to Reporters Without Borders, Nicaragua holds the lowest press freedom ranking in Latin America, positioned 168th out of 180 countries.