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State Department rips revolutionary socialist Nicaraguan regime as far-left leader ends country’s elections
Nicaragua's co-president Daniel Ortega, who has ruled the Central American nation for nearly two decades, has declared that the country will no longer hold elections, prompting sharp criticism from the US State Department. The move deepens international concern over the erosion of democratic norms in Nicaragua, where Ortega governs alongside his wife and co-president Rosario Murillo, and further isolates the socialist-led government from Washington.
The State Department condemned Ortega on Tuesday, describing his declaration ending elections as unacceptable and reaffirming US opposition to authoritarian rule in the region. The article also cites Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado, who framed the situation as part of a wider struggle for freedom across Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, suggesting Washington and regional opposition figures view the three left-led governments as linked authoritarian cases.
In short
- Nicaragua's Ortega ends elections after nearly 20 years in power.
- US State Department condemned the move as unacceptable.
- Opposition figures link Nicaragua's crackdown to Venezuela and Cuba.
Explained simply
Nicaragua is a country in Central America. Daniel Ortega, a former revolutionary who first became president in the 1980s, returned to power in 2007; his wife, Rosario Murillo, is also a co-president. They lead a government that describes itself as socialist.
Nicaragua has held elections during Ortega’s time in office, but opponents and rights groups have raised concerns about political freedoms and the fairness of the votes. The United States has criticised Ortega’s government and imposed sanctions, while Nicaragua has resisted US influence. Disputes over elections matter because they affect how citizens choose their leaders and how other countries deal with Nicaragua.
Art Culture Elections Politics World