The year 2024 was marked in Nicaragua by reforms to the Political Constitution of this Central American country, which according to critics, consolidates a “family dynasty” by naming Rosario Murillo, partner of President Daniel Ortega, as co-president, but also by the death in captivity of Humberto Ortega, brother of the Sandinista president, who had become a critic of the country’s direction.
In the Voice of America We take a tour of these facts.
1. Exile of Monsignor Rolando Álvarez.
On January 13, the government of Daniel Ortega released and sent into exile one of the most critical bishops in the country, Rolando Álvarezwho had been in jail since August 2022.
Bishop Álvarez had refused to be exiled in February 2023, when the Sandinista government sent 222 political prisoners on a plane to the United States.
Álvarez reappeared in Rome and since then has continued to give homilies, although away from the media.
2. Release of 135 prisoners sent to Guatemala
On September 5, the government of DDaniel Ortega released and sent 135 political prisoners to Guatemala and subsequently stripped them of their nationality. On the list were missionaries from the Texas-based Mountain Gateway organization, Catholic laypeople and human rights defenders.
Arrest and death of Humberto Ortega
One of the news that caused the most impact was the death of the retired general and brother of President Daniel Ortega, Humberto Ortega on September 30, 2024. The former military man was sent home to prison on June 11, after giving an interview to Argentine media Infobae.
In the interview, Humberto assured that Rosario Murillo would not be able to replace Daniel Ortega if he died.
After the interview, the Police raided his residence in Managua. The Military Hospital in Managua stated that Humberto Ortega suffered cardiorespiratory arrest.
According to the digital media Confidencial, from the beginning of his arrest until his death, Humberto Ortega was held incommunicado, as they stripped him of cell phones and computers. His personal assistant and his romantic partner were also detained.
Constitutional reform
On November 20, the president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, sent to the National Assembly a proposal to reform at least a hundred articles of the Political Constitution to extend, among other things, the presidential term from five to six years.
In the proposal, the Sandinista government also proposes the creation of the figure of a “co-president” and a “co-president”, who would be elected “through universal suffrage.” Both the co-president and the co-president would have the same power.
The term “co-president” was used by Ortega informally during a speech some time ago, but without legal support for it. Ortega then named his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, de facto “co-president.”
These changes in the Magna Carta already were approved in the first legislature by the National Assembly on November 22, and are expected to be ratified in January 2025.
Experts say that the reform seeks to establish a “dynasty” so that Ortega governs with the same power as his wife Rosario Murillo.
“This year for Nicaragua has been difficult as the almost seven years of political crisis have been. A dictatorial regime has been installed,” he said. Voice of America the feminist sociologist María Teresa Blandón.
The sociologist said that 2024 was also a very difficult year for women because spaces have been constantly shrinking and femicides continue without harsh policies in this regard.
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channel YouTubeand activate notifications, or follow us on social networks: Facebook, Twitter and instagram.
