Latin America · Politics
Key Facts
—Constitutional reform. Amended 148 of 198 articles and repealed 37 others in Nicaragua’s 1987 Constitution.
—Co-presidency created. Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo now serve as equal co-presidents, abolishing the separate presidency and vice presidency.
—Term extended. The presidential term was lengthened from five to six years, pushing the next vote to November 2027.
—Separation of powers ended. Amended Article 132 grants the president power to coordinate the legislative, judicial, and electoral branches.
—Citizenship revocation. The reform authorizes loss of nationality for anyone declared a traitor to the nation.
The Nicaragua elections scheduled for November 2026 have been cancelled through a constitutional reform that extends the presidential term, effectively postponing the next general vote until November 2027.
Avenida Bolivar in Managua; Nicaragua’s government has consolidated power under Daniel Ortega.(Photo internet reproduction)
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The Legal Mechanism
Nicaragua’s National Assembly approved a constitutional reform amending 148 of the 198 articles of the country’s 1987 Constitution and repealing 37 others.
The reform received final unanimous approval between January 26 and 30, 2025, and entered into force in February 2025.
How the Nicaragua Elections Were Postponed
The core change affecting the electoral calendar is the extension of the presidential term from five to six years.
Because the current term was adjusted under the new framework, the originally scheduled November 2026 general election will not take place.
Officials are now set to remain in power until January 2028, with the next vote theoretically scheduled for November 2027.
Restructuring the State
The reform abolished the presidency and vice presidency, replacing them with a two-person co-presidency held by Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo as equal co-presidents.
The amended Article 132 now grants the president the power to coordinate the legislative, judicial, and electoral branches, removing their status as independent powers of the state.
The reform also allows Murillo to automatically assume sole power if Ortega dies, without requiring a new election.
A Pattern of Consolidation: Background and Context
Daniel Ortega first led Nicaragua in the 1980s after the Sandinista revolution and returned to the presidency in 2007, gradually tightening control over state institutions.
Previous term limits were eliminated in earlier reforms, allowing Ortega to run indefinitely and setting the stage for this latest constitutional overhaul.
The creation of a family co-presidency formalizes a power structure that critics have long described as a dynastic authoritarian regime, with Murillo already serving as vice president since 2017.
Ortega himself has publicly stated that political alternation will not return to Nicaragua, signaling that the November 2027 vote is unlikely to offer a genuine democratic choice.
International Reaction
The Organization of American States (OAS) General Secretariat rejected and repudiated the reform, stating it violates international obligations.
The United States condemned the move as ending political alternation, while the European Parliament criticized the elimination of the balance of powers.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed deep concern over the concentration of authority and the institutionalization of citizenship revocation.
Human Rights Watch reported that the amendment empowers the co-presidency to control the judiciary and legislature, formally ending the separation of powers.
The changes formalize a concentration of power that Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo had built since the deadly 2018 protests. In the years since, hundreds of opponents were jailed, exiled or stripped of their Nicaraguan citizenship.
Rights groups say the reform removes the last formal check on the couple’s rule. It leaves no competitive vote scheduled before November 2027.
What It Means for Expats, Investors, and Tourists
For foreign residents and investors, the formal elimination of judicial independence raises serious concerns about property rights protection and contract enforcement in Nicaragua.
The citizenship revocation clause introduces legal uncertainty for dual nationals and anyone the government may label a traitor to the nation, a term that remains broadly defined.
Tourists are unlikely to face immediate disruption, but the consolidation of power could affect long-term stability and the operating environment for international businesses in sectors like tourism and agriculture.
International sanctions and diplomatic isolation may increase, potentially complicating banking, trade, and travel links for anyone with financial or personal ties to Nicaragua.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were Nicaragua elections abolished entirely?
No. The scheduled November 2026 vote was cancelled through a term extension, with the next election theoretically set for November 2027. However, President Ortega has stated that traditional political alternation will not return, casting doubt on whether future votes will be competitive.
What is the co-presidency created by the reform?
The reform abolished the separate presidency and vice presidency, designating Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo as equal co-presidents. It also includes automatic succession provisions allowing Murillo to assume sole power if Ortega dies, without triggering a new election.
How did the international community respond?
The OAS, United States, European Union, and UN human rights officials all condemned the reform as eliminating democratic checks and consolidating power. The OAS formally rejected the changes, while the U.S. and European Parliament criticized the end of political alternation and the balance of powers.