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🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Nicaragua rejects Guatemala’s criticism of 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
  • Nicaragua dismissed Guatemala’s objections to constitutional reforms approved in a first legislative vote that would strengthen the power of co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
  • Guatemala, Costa Rica and Peru have criticized provisions that restrict political participation and extend presidential terms to seven years.
  • Nicaragua said its sovereignty could not be questioned, while the reforms still require a second legislative vote to take effect.

Nicaragua has rejected Guatemala’s criticism of constitutional reforms that could further consolidate the power of co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.

The Nicaraguan National Assembly approved the reforms in a first legislative vote this week. The changes would bar people declared “traitors to the homeland” from running for elected office and extend the terms of authorities, including the presidency, to seven years. A second vote is required before the reforms can take effect.

Our only response is to recall that the sovereignty of a people is not open to debate, much less can it be questioned by other countries with serious problems of legitimacy and unity.

· Nicaraguan Foreign MinistryThe ministry rejected Guatemala’s criticism of the constitutional reforms.

In a brief official statement, Nicaragua’s Foreign Ministry said, “Our only response is to recall that the sovereignty of a people is not open to debate, much less can it be questioned by other countries with serious problems of legitimacy and unity.” The statement concluded: “Nicaragua triumphs in peace and security.”

Nicaragua triumphs in peace and security.

· Nicaraguan Foreign MinistryThe statement concluded Nicaragua’s response to the criticism.

Guatemala said the amendments violate fundamental democratic principles, including alternation in power and political pluralism. It said defending those principles and the right of peoples to freely determine their future was essential to regional stability and peaceful coexistence. Costa Rica also expressed concern about what it called the country’s “continued democratic deterioration,” saying the amendment further limits political and electoral participation. Peru has likewise voiced concern and opposition.

The dispute follows a declaration by Ortega, who has governed Nicaragua continuously since 2007, that “there will be no more elections” in the Central American country. The statement triggered broad international criticism. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged other countries not to trade with Nicaragua, saying the legal change seeks to “definitively deprive” the country of free elections.

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 MinistryGuatemala explained its objection to the Nicaraguan amendments.

Ortega has spent 30 years in power. He coordinated Nicaragua’s governing junta from 1979 to 1985, served as president from 1985 to 1990, and returned to office in 2007.

There will be no more elections.

· Daniel OrtegaOrtega made the statement weeks before the constitutional reform vote, prompting international criticism.
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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