President Daniel Ortega told supporters on July 20, 2026, that Nicaragua will no longer hold elections, according to state media reports. The 80-year-old Marxist leader, in power since 2007, framed the move as a way to block the opposition, which he accused of being a threat to the country's stability.
Ortega's announcement comes amid ongoing international criticism of his government's handling of elections, which have been widely questioned by the international community. The United Nations and the Organization of American States have previously raised concerns about electoral transparency in Nicaragua.
The declaration has drawn sharp reactions from opposition groups and human rights organizations, who argue that it undermines democratic processes. The Nicaraguan government has not provided further details on how this policy would be implemented.
