President Daniel Ortega and his vice-presidential wife Rosario Murillo are tightening their grip on the country’s media, among other things.
In Nicaragua, the Sandinista-dominated parliament has unanimously approved constitutional reforms that give even more power to the country’s autocratic president For Daniel Ortega and to his wife, the Vice President For Rosario Murillo.
The powers of the police and the army will also be increased. The 79-year-old Ortega gave the reform to parliament as an “urgent matter” on Tuesday.
According to Nicaragua’s constitution, the reforms must also be approved in the second legislative term, in this case in 2025, before they take effect.
Among other things, the reform increases the president’s control over the media, extends the presidential term from five to six years, and creates new positions of “co-presidents”.
Critics of the administration have said that the reforms legitimize the “absolute power” that Ortega and his wife have exercised for years.
In September, the Nicaraguan parliament passed a “gag law”, according to which people who allegedly spread information on social media that causes panic or fear can face up to five years in prison.
Ortega’s regime is on the US and EU sanctions list.