Nicaragua Ends All Elections: How President Compares To World's Strongmen
Summary
Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega announced the country will stop holding elections, which marks a shift away from democracy after years of political crackdowns. Ortega has been in power for over 20 years and is criticized by human rights groups and the U.S. government for authoritarian rule and suppressing opposition.Key Facts
- President Daniel Ortega said parties supported by the U.S. and the former Somoza family will never regain power in Nicaragua.
- Ortega has been in power since the 1980s, with a break, but has ruled continuously for two decades now.
- The U.S. government calls Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo "dictators" and has sanctioned officials in their regime.
- The United Nations Human Rights Council describes Nicaragua as an "authoritarian state" and Ortega’s government left the council in early 2025.
- In 2018, government forces killed at least 355 protesters during nationwide protests against Ortega’s government.
- Before the 2021 elections, Ortega’s government arrested opposition politicians and critics and changed laws to hold detainees longer without charges.
- Nicaragua lacks an independent judicial system; judges are influenced by the government to target opposition.
- Both Nicaragua and Venezuela are seen by U.S. commissions as major violators of freedom of religion, with state crackdowns on the Catholic Church.
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