Elections & Democracy
Nicaragua reform would extend Ortega term, ban rivals
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has added a proposed seven-year renewable presidential term to constitutional reforms that would also bar opponents of his rule from elections.
The government-allied legislature received the proposal on Tuesday and plans to vote on it in September. National Assembly President Gustavo Porras said the initiative envisions a presidential "term of seven years, renewable," up from the current six.
Porras said the longer mandate would ensure stability, continuity and the ability to respond to urgent situations.
The proposed change adds to an election reform already condemned by the United States, the European Union and UN leadership. The latest reforms would prevent opponents of Ortega's rule, whom he has described as US-backed "sellouts" and "coup-mongers," from getting onto the ballot.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said last week that people of all political viewpoints must be allowed to vote and run for office.
A previous constitutional amendment had already extended the presidential term from five to six years, delaying elections from 2026 to next year. It also elevated Ortega's wife, Rosario Murillo, to co-president.
Murillo said on Monday that the reform plan had been shared with diplomats and would go through consultations with sectors of Nicaraguan society before approval. The full text of the proposed reforms has not been released.
Ortega, 80, and Murillo, 75, exert near total control over Nicaragua's government. Thousands have fled the country since the repression of anti-government protests in 2018.
Update
Daniel Ortega proposed extending the presidential term to seven years, renewable, up from the current six-year term.
The government-allied legislature received the proposal on Tuesday and plans to vote in September.
National Assembly President Gustavo Porras said the extension would ensure continuity and stability.
Source note: AFP news report published on 28 July 2026 at 19:00:07 UTC.
Update
Rosario Murillo said a special commission would present the constitutional reform to a plenary session with the aim of approval in the first days of September.
Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo presented the initiative to foreign ambassadors in Nicaragua on Monday.
Murillo said there would first be a consultation process involving the military, police, business leaders, churches and indigenous peoples.
The United States, European Union and other international actors have condemned or criticised Managua's move to exclude opponents from elections.
Nicaragua's Foreign Affairs Ministry called the EU statement interventionist and imperialist.
Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella said he would cut ties with Nicaragua and Cuba after taking office.
Source note: AFP news report published on 27 July 2026 at 21:54:57 UTC.
Update
Nicaraguan co-leader Rosario Murillo said the vote had been postponed until September.
The vote had previously been slated for August.
Murillo said a special commission would present the proposed constitutional reform to a plenary session with the aim of approval in the first days of September.
Source note: AFP news report published on 27 July 2026 at 20:47:25 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The full text of the proposed constitutional reforms has not been released.
The proposal still requires legislative approval.
Source
AFP news report published on .