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🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Guatemala voices “deep concern” over Nicaragua’s constitutional reforms

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Official statement Ongoing story
  • Guatemala expressed “deep concern” over Nicaragua’s first-stage approval of constitutional reforms that would strengthen the power of co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
  • The reforms would extend the presidential term to seven years and bar people labeled “traitors to the homeland” from elected office.
  • Costa Rica also warned of Nicaragua’s continuing democratic deterioration, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged countries not to trade with Managua.

Guatemala has issued a sharp warning over Nicaragua’s constitutional overhaul, calling it a threat to the democratic principles that govern political life in the region. The Guatemalan Foreign Ministry said the reforms approved in the first legislative stage undermine alternation in power and political pluralism.

Guatemala considers political pluralism, citizen participation, alternation in power, and the possibility of electing and being elected to be essential elements of any democracy, as established by the Inter-American Democratic Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

· Guatemalan Foreign MinistryThe ministry explained why it opposed Nicaragua’s constitutional amendments.

The National Assembly approved the initiative on Tuesday. It still requires a second legislative approval before taking effect, but the proposed changes would extend the presidential term to seven years and prevent people branded “traitors to the homeland” from holding elected office. The reforms were promoted by co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo and would further consolidate their control.

Guatemala said political pluralism, citizen participation, alternation in power and the right to elect and be elected are essential elements of democracy. It referred to the Inter-American Democratic Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

As a country with a deep democratic spirit, Guatemala reaffirms that defending these principles and the right of all peoples to freely decide their future is fundamental to the stability and peaceful coexistence of our region.

· Guatemalan Foreign MinistryThe ministry linked democratic principles in Nicaragua to regional stability.

The statement followed Ortega’s declaration at an official event that there would be no more elections in Nicaragua, a remark that triggered broad international rejection. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged other countries not to trade with Nicaragua, saying the legal change sought to permanently deprive the country of free elections. Costa Rica separately expressed concern about the “continuing democratic deterioration” in its neighboring country and said the amendment would further restrict political and electoral participation.

Continuing democratic deterioration

· Government of Costa RicaCosta Rica used the phrase when expressing concern about developments in Nicaragua.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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