Managua. The National Assembly of Nicaragua, controlled by the Sandinista Front, yesterday generally approved the partial reform of the Nicaraguan Constitution, which opens the door for the subordination of all powers of the State to the presidency, in the hands of Daniel Ortega and his wife. , Vice President Rosario Murillo, and in her points establishes the creation of a co-presidency
joint between both leaders.
The reform package, sent last Tuesday to the assembly by Ortega with urgency
was approved in the first legislature with the unanimous vote of the 91 pro-government deputies without discussion, confirmed the president of the parliamentary body, Gustavo Porras, before the plenary session.
According to the Constitution, reforms to it must be approved in two legislative periods before they come into force. The current legislature ends in December and the next one begins on January 10, when the reform would be approved in its entirety, Porras estimated.
After the vote, the opposition reiterated its claims, from exile and within the country, that the initiative legalizes absolute power
of Ortega and Murillo. The Organization of American States (OAS) has accused the couple of trying increase their absolute control of the State and perpetuate themselves in power
.
With the modifications, the reform extends the presidential term from five to six years, and confirms the power that Murillo already has by equaling that of Ortega, because it raises her rank from vice president to co-president
.
The text also grants total power to the Executive, establishing that the figure of co-president
will coordinate to the legislative, judicial, electoral, control and oversight, regional and municipal bodies
whom the Constitution previously recognized as independent or autonomous.
Ortega, a 79-year-old former guerrilla, governed Nicaragua in the 1980s after the triumph of the popular Sandinista revolution by overthrowing the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza in 1979. In 2007 he returned to power, and since then his critics point out that he has established a dictatorship
and the nepotism
with his wife.
Specialists explain that both radicalized their positions and increased control over society after the 2018 protests, whose repression left 320 dead, according to the United Nations. The government considered these mobilizations an attempted coup d’état launched by the United States.
In the reform, Nicaragua is defined as a State revolutionary and socialist
and includes among the national symbols the red-and-black flag of the Sandinista National Liberation Front.
It also establishes that the State will watch
to the press and the Church so that they do not respond to foreign interests
and in the case of companies so that they do not apply sanctions like those that the United States has imposed on Nicaragua.
In addition, it makes official the withdrawal of Nicaraguan nationality from those considered traitors to the country
as the government did with some 450 critics and opponents in recent years.
The reform empowers the presidency to order the intervention of the army in support of the national police, when the stability of the republic requires it
and authorizes police and military to temporarily occupy positions in the Executive field
.
Formally create the volunteer police
emerged in response to the social protests of 2018, and was composed mainly of former soldiers who fought during the Sandinista revolution (1979-1990).
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#Nicaragua #power
–
**What strategies can the international community effectively employ to pressure the Nicaraguan government to reverse the constitutional changes without exacerbating the humanitarian situation or further polarizing the country?**
## Nicaragua’s Constitutional Reform: A Conversation on Power and Democracy
**Host**: Welcome to World Today News. Today we delve into a controversial development in Nicaragua: the passage of a constitutional reform that has drawn both praise and condemnation. Joining us are two experts to dissect the implications of this event. Dr. Maria Alvarez, a constitutional law scholar specializing in Latin American democracies, and Mr. Juan Perez, a Nicaraguan human rights activist currently residing in exile.
**Section 1: Understanding the Changes**
* **Host**: Dr. Alvarez, can you walk us through the key changes brought about by this constitutional reform? What are the most significant alterations to Nicaragua’s political system?
* **Dr. Alvarez**: Certainly. This reform introduces several striking changes. The most noticeable is the creation of a “co-presidency” shared by Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo. This effectively concentrates executive power in their hands, blurring the traditional separation of powers. Additionally, the presidential term is extended from five to six years, further consolidating their grip on power.
* **Host**: Mr. Perez, from your perspective as a Nicaraguan citizen, how do these changes impact the lives of ordinary people?
* **Mr. Perez**: This reform represents a massive blow to Nicaraguan democracy. It legitimizes a system where power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a single family, effectively silencing dissenting voices and undermining the principles of checks and balances.
**Section 2: International Reactions & Implications**
* **Host**: The reform has been met with strong criticism from the international community. The OAS has accused Ortega and Murillo of seeking “absolute control” . What are the potential ramifications of this reform for Nicaragua’s relationships with international partners?
* **Dr. Alvarez**: The international community’s response suggests growing concern over the direction Nicaragua is headed. Sanctions and diplomatic pressure are likely to increase, potentially impacting trade, investment, and Nicaragua’s standing on the global stage.
* **Host**: Mr. Perez,
how do you see these international pressures impacting the situation within Nicaragua? Can they bring about meaningful change?
* **Mr. Perez**: International pressure is certainly crucial. While it may not immediately topple the regime, it can create a space for dialog and hold the government accountable for its actions.
**Section 3: Looking Ahead: A Fragile Future?**
* **Host**: Dr. Alvarez, how do you assess the long-term implications of this constitutional reform on Nicaragua’s future? Does it pave the way for a more stable or less stable democracy?
* **Dr. Alvarez**: The trajectory is deeply concerning. By dismantling checks and balances and consolidating power in a single unit, this reform sets a dangerous precedent. It weakens institutions, fosters an environment of fear, and undermines the very foundations of a functioning democracy.
* **Host**: Mr. Perez, what message do you have for the international community regarding the situation in Nicaragua?
* **Mr. Perez**: We plead with the international community to continue applying pressure, to condemn these abuses of power, and to support the struggle for a democratic Nicaragua. Ignoring this situation will only embolden the regime and have devastating consequences for the Nicaraguan people.
**Closing**
* **Host**: Thank you both for sharing your invaluable insights. The constitutional reform in Nicaragua is a complex and evolving situation. It highlights the fragility of democracies and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms. We encourage our viewers to stay informed and continue the conversation about the future of Nicaragua.
