Nicaragua's Ortega proposes seven-year terms, no more elections

Nicaragua's government, led by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, has proposed a constitutional reform extending presidential terms to seven years, renewable, and excluding opponents deemed "traidores a la patria" from elections. This follows Ortega's July 19 declaration that "aquí no volverá a haber elecciones" Source: El País. The reform, presented by National Assembly president Gustavo Porras, would affect at least 6,750 public offices, including mayors, deputies, and magistrates Source: Infobae.

The reform

The initiative, to be approved in September, changes the presidential term from five to seven years, "renovables" (renewable), a mechanism critics say allows indefinite rule without genuine elections Source: El País. It also elevates to constitutional rank the disqualification of those linked to 2018 protests or labeled "golpistas" or "vendepatrias" Source: El País. Rosario Murillo confirmed the reform will exclude "traidores a la patria" from elections Source: El Caribe.

Reactions

Amnesty International condemned the reform as an attempt to "desmantelar" the right to participate in public affairs, noting over 5,000 organizations have been canceled Source: Infobae. Journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro, exiled, called it a "adefesio" to legalize "sucesión dinástica" Source: La Voz. The International Socialist expressed concern, urging respect for democratic rights Source: Diario Libre. The U.S. requested an extraordinary OAS meeting Source: Infobae.

Context

Ortega has ruled since 2007, with Murillo as copresident since 2025. The reform follows a 2025 change that subordinated all state powers to the presidency Source: Milenio. If approved, Nicaragua would join countries without presidential elections, like Cuba and North Korea Source: Milenio.