Nicaragua Extends Public Officials' Terms to Seven Years in Constitutional 'Patch'

Nicaragua's political landscape is undergoing a significant shift as Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo orchestrate a constitutional amendment to extend the terms of nearly 7,000 public officials to seven years. This move, described as a "patch" to the constitution, will see deputies, magistrates, mayors, and regional authorities serving longer mandates than initially established by law.

The extended tenure will encompass 6,722 popularly elected positions and 28 positions requiring the National Assembly's election or ratification. The scope may broaden further to include ministers, vice-ministers, and diplomatic heads, all appointed by Ortega and Murillo. Sandinista deputy Gustavo Porras announced the change, stating, "The period established in the Political Constitution of the Republic of Nicaragua for popularly elected positions and for those elected or ratified by the National Assembly will be seven years."

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The period established in the Political Constitution of the Republic of Nicaragua for popularly elected positions and for those elected or ratified by the National Assembly will be seven years.

Porras defended the extension, suggesting it provides stability and that seven-year terms are common in other countries. However, this contrasts sharply with the constitution's original five-year term limit. The announcement came during a meeting with the military leadership, who were among the first to be consulted by the special constitutional commission. Subsequently, it was confirmed that the seven-year term would also apply to the leadership of the Army and the Police, key pillars of the current administration, including General Julio César Avilés and police co-chiefs Francisco Díaz and Victoriano Ruiz.

This expansion of terms will affect a wide array of positions, from the "co-presidency" of the Republic down to municipal mayors and council members, as well as representatives to the Central American Parliament. The affected positions include 90 National Assembly deputies, 90 members of the Caribbean Coast Autonomous Regional Councils, and 6,320 municipal government positions, including mayors, vice-mayors, and councilors. This consolidation of power and extension of mandates raises concerns about democratic processes and the concentration of authority within Nicaragua.

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Those seven years mean something that cannot be questioned (...) There are a lot of countries that have seven years (...) we have rights, it is our decision.