Nicaragua shows where socialism leads

By Karine Keyser —

After ruling Nicaragua for 20 years, Daniel Ortega moved from manipulating elections to dismissing elections altogether.

The leader of the Sandinista Revolution that threw Dictator Anastasio Somoza out of power is now officially the new dictator. They promised democracy, social justice and the end of the ruling elite. Then they ditched democracy, arrested and killed opposition and became the ruling elite.

“The days when parties backed by the yanquis and the somocistas would return to power are over,” Ortega said in July. “Never again.”

Here’s the trajectory of Ortega:

• 1979–1985: Head of the ruling Sandinista junta after the revolution.
• 1985–1990: President of Nicaragua.
• 1990: Lost the election to Violeta Chamorro.
• 1990–2006: In opposition, though he remained leader of the Sandinista party.
• 2007–present: Returned as president and has remained in power ever since.
• 2025: Constitutional changes made Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, co-presidents, further consolidating their control.
• Present: Ortega’s legislature is restructuring laws to abolish elections entirely.

They are now so unpopular, they can’t manipulate the vote.

“Daniel Ortega’s declaration that under his family’s dictatorship Nicaragua will never again hold elections lays bare their true authoritarian nature,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo have abandoned even the pretense of popular consent. The Nicaraguan people have the right to choose their own leaders through democratic elections.”