Nicaragua's lawmakers announced plans to abolish elections in the Central American country, following through on President Daniel Ortega's declaration over the weekend that there would be no more elections, which enraged the international community.The move was revealed on Tuesday by Nicaragua's congress, which is firmly in the hands of Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo.Lawmakers said planned constitutional overhaul will ensure Nicaragua's "peace, security and stability."With the announcement, lawmakers are making good on Ortega's promise of no more elections, further closing off any potential path for the opposition to challenge the government he leads with Murillo, whom constitutional reforms elevated from vice president to "co-president.""There won't be any more elections here for them to try to seize the government and seize power," Ortega said on Sunday during a speech commemorating the 1979 Sandinista revolution, in which Ortega participated in the overthrow of the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza.NICARAGUA'S ORTEGA SAYS COUNTRY WILL 'NEVER AGAIN' HOLD ELECTIONS, SHUTTING OUT OPPOSITIONNicaragua's President Daniel Ortega said officials in the Central American country will no longer hold elections.
(REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)"The days when parties backed by the Yankees (United States) and the Somocistas would return to power are over — never again," he declared.The declaration appeared to eliminate the possibility of a future electoral challenge as Ortega and Murillo continue consolidating control over the country’s political institutions.Ortega and Murillo expanded their authority through sweeping constitutional changes that took effect in 2025.The reforms included extending the presidential term from five years to six and placing the legislative, judicial and electoral institutions under the authority of the presidency.The pair now exercise control over nearly every branch of government, including the armed forces, police and jud...