Ortega, emboldened after stealing the election, is ready to tighten his grip in Nicaragua
Democracy was slowly dying in Nicaragua, but this week Daniel Ortega dealt the final blow by declaring himself the winner in an “election” where no credible opposition candidate was allowed to run. Now one thing is clear: Ortega has completed the transformation of Nicaragua from a fragile democracy into a dictatorial police state.
Ortega’s autocratic rule in Nicaragua has been strengthening for years. After widespread protests starting in April 2018, the regime responded with deadly force, killing more than 300 people, injuring hundreds more and forcing many into exile. No one was ever held accountable for these crimes. In the aftermath of the protests, Ortega ratcheted up his repression by systematically dismantling the free press, persecuting civil society groups and deregistering opposition political parties.… Seguir leyendo »