On 28 January, the National Assembly ratified a package of constitutional amendments that further executive aggrandizement in Nicaragua. They include the establishment of the role of ‘co-presidents’, which the Assembly claims is aimed to fully guarantee women’s political participation on equal terms with men (one co-president is to be a man, and one a woman), along with other provisions on the subject. The amended provisions also extend presidential terms from five to six years and acknowledge that co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo (Ortega’s wife and current Vice-President) will coordinate the legislative, judicial and electoral bodies (among others). The package, initially approved in a first reading in November, also enhances the role of the military, codifies deprivation of citizenship as punishment for crimes such as treason, and effectively excludes opposition members and those in exile from running for co-president, by establishing a six-year residency requirement for candidates. 

 Sources: Asamblea Nacional, CNN, International IDEA

A package of Executive-initiated constitutional amendments was approved in a first reading by the National Assembly. The amendments would give more power to President Daniel Ortega and elevate the position of Rosario Murillo (Ortega’s wife) from Vice-President to Co-President. The amendments formalize in the constitution the aggrandizement of the co-presidents’ power over other branches of government and electoral bodies. They would also extend the term of presidency from five to six years, adopt the flag of the ruling Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN) party as a national symbol, enhance the role of the military and enshrine in the constitution the ability to strip Nicaraguan nationals of their citizenship as a sanction for crimes such as treason. The package of amendments needs to be ratified by the National Assembly next year (as constitutional amendments need to be approved in two legislatures) but are expected to pass as early as January.

Sources: Voz de América, CNN, The Guardian, DW

The National Assembly passed executive-initiated amendments to the criminal code and legislation on cybercrime and financial analysis. The amendments further criminalize dissidence, enabling the prosecution of vaguely-described illicit acts such as crimes against national security and public administration, including when committed through social media and by nationals and foreigners outside Nicaraguan territory. The amendments broaden who can be prosecuted, including people who “facilitate” crimes. Harsher prison sentences and the confiscation of assets were also introduced. Experts note the express criminalization of conduct on social media could induce a chilling effect, which will be compounded by the threat of ‘transnational’ prosecutions. Notably, an amendment to the Financial Analysis Unit bill will scrutinize citizens living abroad who send remittances to Nicaraguan beneficiaries and the beneficiaries themselves, a circumstance that particularly imperils family members of exiled critics of the regime.

Sources:  Asamblea Nacional de Nicaragua (1), Asamblea Nacional de Nicaragua (2), El Pais (1), El País (2), Infobae

Through ministerial decrees and provisions, the government has ordered the closure of about 1,500 non-governmental organizations (NGO). Most of the disbanded organizations are religious, but also include educational, medical, social and Indigenous institutions. The government justified the dissolution by arguing the organizations had incurred in alleged omissions in financial disclosure obligations. The property and other assets of the NGOs are to be confiscated by the government. The government also announced that remaining civil society organizations that wish to continue operating will have to do so under a new operational scheme involving “alliances” with state entities. This scheme entails that all programs and projects will have to be approved by the state entities involved, taking away any ability for civil society to operate independently. Since 2018, over 5,200 organizations or roughly 75 per cent of NGOs have been closed. The latest dissolution of NGOs has affected more organizations than any of the previous measures taken against civil society.

Sources: BBC, The New York Times, El Pais, Human Rights Watch