Nicaragua's President Announces End to Future Elections

President Daniel Ortega told a crowd of state employees on Sunday that Nicaragua will not conduct any further elections, saying the move is intended to prevent opposition parties from attempting to take power. He added that the government will work with the National Assembly to draft laws that will create a "wall" against what he described as "coup plotters" and "traitors."

Ortega made the remarks during the ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Sandinista revolution, a event that also featured criticism of the United States over a recent operation in Venezuela. "With all their power, they stormed the presidential palace... it is monstrous," he said.

The announcement follows a series of constitutional changes enacted last year that extended the presidential term and elevated Ortega's wife, Rosario Murillo, to the role of co-president. The United States and several human-rights groups have previously condemned the administration for imprisoning opposition figures and restricting civil society.

"With this decision, Ortega and Murillo have sealed the country’s transition to a full-fledged family dictatorship," said Tiziano Breda, senior analyst at the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project.

Human-rights organisations estimate about 50 political prisoners remain in Nicaragua, and the government has revoked citizenship for hundreds of individuals while shutting down thousands of NGOs, universities and media outlets.

The next scheduled elections were due next year, but Ortega gave no details on whether they will be cancelled or how opposition participation will be handled.