Gustavo Porras, the President of Nicaragua's National Assembly, clarified controversial remarks made by co-president Daniel Ortega on Wednesday, affirming that elections will indeed take place in the country. However, these elections will occur under a new constitutional framework that bars individuals labeled by the regime as "coup plotters" and "traitors to the homeland," as he explained in an interview with international media.
Porras's statements aimed to mitigate the backlash from Ortega's speech on Sunday during the commemoration of the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution. In his address, the 80-year-old leader had definitively stated, "Here, there will never be elections again," to prevent the opposition from "seizing the government, seizing power."
The parliamentary leader reinterpreted Ortega's words to the press following a meeting between the Legislative and electoral judges, stressing that what Ortega meant was that Nicaragua will "never again have elections controlled by imperialists."
Porras was emphatic in outlining the boundaries of the electoral process that the regime is willing to allow: "The crucial thing is to enshrine in the constitution that we cannot accept elections where coup plotters, traitors to the homeland, and parties or organizations funded by foreign money, foreign powers, or foreign organizations participate."
The leader also dismissed any international oversight: "We will never again be slaves to anyone, to any foreign power, and we will never again have a Yankee, an imperialist, directing our country's elections."
Porras's remarks came a day after the National Assembly released a work plan to reform the Constitution and other laws in special sessions with the Supreme Electoral Council.
Ortega's regime, alongside his wife and co-president Rosario Murillo, had already declared 452 Nicaraguans as "traitors to the homeland," revoking their nationality. This group includes writers Sergio Ramírez and Gioconda Belli, as well as bishops Rolando Álvarez and Silvio Báez.
Ortega's initial announcement sparked immediate backlash in the region. Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama denounced his statements, with Panama recalling its ambassador in Managua for consultations.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the international community to isolate the regime, pointing out that the leader's comments "reveal the true authoritarian nature" of the dictatorship.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau drew a direct comparison between Nicaragua and Cuba, stating, "Abolishing elections allows the government to trap its people, as Cuba has shown for the last 67 years."
International pressure on Managua has escalated in recent months. In April 2026, Washington sanctioned two of Ortega and Murillo's children along with seven mining companies, and in June, visa restrictions were extended to more than 100 officials, bringing the total number of sanctioned individuals to over 2,350.
The Organization of American States (OAS) also unanimously demanded the restoration of democracy and the release of all political prisoners in Nicaragua.
Ortega has been in power since 2007. In January 2025, he pushed through a constitutional reform that altered 185 of the 198 articles of the Magna Carta, established indefinite re-election, and postponed the general elections from November 2026 to November 2027.
Key Questions About Nicaragua's Political Situation
What changes did Ortega make to Nicaragua's Constitution?
In January 2025, Ortega enacted a constitutional reform that modified 185 out of 198 articles, allowing for indefinite re-election and rescheduling the general elections from November 2026 to November 2027.
How has the international community responded to Ortega's regime?
The international community has responded with sanctions and diplomatic pressure. The U.S. sanctioned Ortega's children and mining companies, and imposed visa restrictions on officials. The OAS has called for the restoration of democracy and the release of political prisoners.
What criteria does the Nicaraguan regime use to exclude candidates from elections?
The Nicaraguan regime excludes candidates they classify as "coup plotters," "traitors to the homeland," and those associated with parties or organizations funded by foreign money or powers.