Washington (United States) (AFP) – The United States on Wednesday urged its allies to cease trade with Nicaragua, which has just adopted a reform that prevents opponents from participating in elections, further locking in the power of President Daniel Ortega.

Published on: 09/03/2026 - 1:15 p.m.

“Dictatorships that trample the rights of their citizens should not benefit from the same economic or political advantages as governments committed to defending peace and security,” said foreign minister Marco Rubio in a statement, denouncing a “brutal dictatorship” and calling on the international community to increase pressure on Managua.

Approved unanimously on Tuesday by the National Assembly, the constitutional reform has an essentially symbolic significance in a country where opponents have been imprisoned or forced into exile and where only minor parties aligned with the government remain alongside Mr. Ortega's Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN).

Mr. Ortega argued that this measure protected Nicaragua from interference from Washington, which he accuses of having sought to overthrow him via a movement of demonstrations in 2018, the repression of which left around 350 dead, according to the UN.

Without directly referring to Marco Rubio, Daniel Ortega declared Wednesday evening that the United States was the "enemy" of countries like his.

“Simply because it is a world military power, they feel authorized to attack,” he criticized during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Nicaraguan army.

“To those who constantly threaten us, here you have a people and an army that will never be bought and will never surrender,” the leader added.

Sanctions

At the beginning of August, the United States and its allies within the Organization of American States (OAS) called on this body to take measures against Nicaragua because of the reform.

“The war waged by Murillo and Ortega against democracy threatens the stability and prosperity” of the continent, Mr. Rubio insisted on Wednesday.

The US government "remains committed to identifying and implementing measures to combat the human rights violations committed by Murillo and Ortega, particularly in forums such as the OAS," he said.

Despite pressure from Donald Trump's government, the United States remains Nicaragua's main trading partner, which also benefits from credits granted by international banks and the IMF for fear of a humanitarian catastrophe.

Daniel Ortega governed Nicaragua in the 1980s after the insurrection that overthrew US-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza.

Returning to power in 2007 and since re-elected in elections marred by irregularities, he has since continued to strengthen his hold on this Central American country of 7 million inhabitants, where China has significant mining interests.

Repression increased further after the 2018 protests, forcing nearly a million Nicaraguans into exile and sounding the death knell for the independent press.

Since then, the European Union and the United States have imposed sanctions on the country.

During the 2021 elections, Daniel Ortega had the main candidates imprisoned, increasing the number of exile measures and stripping of nationality. Some 500 political activists, humanitarians, intellectuals, journalists and priests were also targeted.

Mr. Ortega's detractors accuse him of seeking to establish a "dynastic dictatorship" as he turns 81 in November and suffers from health problems.

The 2025 constitutional reform elevated Rosario Murillo to the rank of co-president, and eight of the couple's nine children occupy strategic positions in the state apparatus.

© 2026 AFP

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