Nicaraguan leader proposes extending presidential term by another year

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has proposed extending the presidential term by an additional year, with the government-controlled National Assembly expected to approve the change in September as part of a constitutional reform. This reform also aims to prevent opposition members deemed "traitors" or "coup plotters" by the government from running for office. Ortega, who has been in power since 2007, has previously overseen constitutional changes that eliminated presidential term limits and extended the term from five to six years. The legislative body also previously approved a plan for his wife, Rosario Murillo, to be named "co-president," enabling her to potentially succeed him.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is proposing a constitutional reform that would allow Congress to exclude opposition members deemed "traitors" or "coup-plotters" from future elections. The draft reform, sent to Congress by Ortega, also seeks to extend the presidential term from six to seven "renewable" years. Congress President Gustavo Porras previewed the proposal, which is expected to be approved in September. This move follows Ortega's recent statements suggesting no elections would be held to prevent the opposition from "seizing the government." A previous amendment in 2024 extended the presidential term to six years and postponed elections until late 2027, moves criticized as an effort to maintain the presidential family's power. Ortega, who returned to power in 2007, has faced international criticism and sanctions.