The Nicaraguan National Assembly has unanimously ratified constitutional reforms that afford President Daniel Ortega sweeping control over all branches of the state. This legislative move effectively consolidates Ortega’s authority, following the ratification of amendments outlined in the country’s new constitution, now in effect.
The constitutional amendments, ratified on Thursday, include Article 8, which grants Ortega control over the government, legislative, and judicial branches. Furthermore, Articles 133 and 136 introduce the positions of president and co-president, positions currently held by Ortega and his spouse, Rosario Murillo, extending their terms from five to six years.
The reforms, proposed last November, have drawn significant criticism from domestic and international entities. The United Nations Group of Human Rights Experts has expressed strong concerns, labeling the amendments as undermining democratic governance by granting Ortega virtually unrestrained power.
Local civic groups have similarly criticized these reforms, warning they concentrate power and restrict civil freedoms. They emphasized the potential for significant human rights violations, including the controversial institution of “volunteer police,” accused of attacks on citizens.
These constitutional changes unfold amid an ongoing political crisis that began in 2018. That year’s protests against Ortega’s regime, which were forcibly suppressed, resulted in over 300 deaths and 2,000 injuries, as detailed in a report by Amnesty International.
The Nicaraguan government’s actions have also faced condemnation for cracking down on religious freedom, particularly targeting the Catholic Church. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has reported widespread rights abuses in Nicaragua, documenting cases involving arbitrary arrests and severe trial injustices.
These policy shifts represent a highly contentious area of Nicaraguan political life, drawing attention from international legal and human rights communities alike, as Ortega’s grip on power intensifies.